Dancing Through Deadlines: A Club Service Chronicle of Friendship, Chaos & Legacy

If someone had told us at the beginning of this Rotaract year that being Club Service Co-Directors would come with midnight bus hunts, spontaneous dance-offs, and an unbreakable bond, we would’ve laughed and gone back to our spreadsheets. But somewhere between planning decor for installations and hiking unfamiliar trails, we discovered that this journey was about more than organizing events. It was about building a friendship so fierce and fun that it became the soul of our entire avenue.

We started this year armed with checklists and cautious optimism, unsure of where this shared title would take us. What unfolded was a whirlwind of chaos and creativity, a journey of learning how to lead, how to lean on each other, and how to laugh through everything, even the unexpected. This blog isn’t just a reflection of our projects. It’s a love letter to the late nights, the inside jokes, the mismatched outfits, the shared snacks, and the friendship that turned two co-directors into a duo no spreadsheet could quantify.

Chapter 1: The Installation That Started It All

Our first project together was the 15th Installation Ceremony, and we dived in headfirst. We quickly found ourselves knee-deep in color palettes, flower arrangements, script edits, and way too many “Are the mics working?” checks. It was hectic, definitely. But it was also exhilarating. We were building something bigger than ourselves, something that celebrated not just tradition, but transformation. As the final applause echoed through the hall and the stage lights dimmed, we looked at each other exhausted, relieved, and quietly proud. We had pulled it off, together.

Chapter 2: Loveflix — A Little Love Under the Lights

With the pressure of the Installation behind us, we softened the pace with Loveflix, a cozy movie night held in one of our university lecture halls, transformed for the evening with warm fairy lights and comfy seating. It wasn’t grand, but it was magic. Students gathered in the softly lit space, snacks in hand, laughter filling the room as the film played on. There was something so comforting about watching familiar faces unwind and reconnect. That night reminded us that you don’t need a big venue or a huge crowd to create closeness, just intention, ambiance, and a little bit of love.

Chapter 3: Climbing Peaks and Chasing Buses

Then came the Kabaragala hike, a joint adventure with Rotaractors from University of Peradeniya and University of Moratuwa. The trail tested our lungs and legs, but the views made every aching muscle worth it. We laughed, we climbed, we bonded. But what truly turned this hike into a core memory was the unexpected aftermath: just the two of us, stranded in the middle of Colombo past midnight with dead phones, aching feet, and zero clue how to get home. We weren’t just tired, we were hysterical. And yet, we wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s these messy, magical in-between moments that made our journey unforgettable.

Chapter 4: A Picnic with Purpose — Celebrating 15 Years

Somewhere between the climb and chaos, we paused to celebrate something monumental, the 15th Charter Day of our club. And how did Club Service choose to mark such a milestone? With a campus picnic, of course! We transformed university grounds into a vibrant celebration of joy, history, and belonging. Mats were laid out under the shade of trees, homemade food was shared with stories, and spontaneous games turned strangers into teammates. It wasn’t just an anniversary, it was a reminder of everything our club stands for: community, connection, and the power of showing up for each other.

Chapter 5: Trivia Night — Buzzers, Brains, and Banter

Next came Trivia Night, our most intellectually chaotic night yet. Picture it: teams locked in heated battle, buzzers flying, answers shouted with way too much confidence. From obscure history facts to completely wild guesses, the energy was electric. There was laughter, some shockingly competitive spirit, and a ton of camaraderie. Nights like these reminded us that club service can be smart and silly and we’re here for both.

Chapter 6: Baila Night — Our Final Beat, Our Biggest Win

Our final and most iconic project as co-directors was Baila Night ’25, a vibrant celebration of rhythm, culture, and community spirit, organized in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Cinnamon Gardens. It wasn’t just another event. It was the event, our grand finale, our loudest laugh, and the heartbeat of everything we had built together throughout the year. The energy that night was electric. The hall transformed into a festival of lights, colors, and nonstop music. Beats bounced off the walls, and the crowd was on their feet, dancing without hesitation, without inhibition, just pure joy. We had poured everything we had into planning that night, and we were watching it come alive in the best possible way.

But the highlight, the moment that still gives us chills was the Couple Dance Challenge. The rules were simple: two people, one sheet of paper, and the paper kept getting smaller with every round. We weren’t just dancing. We were determined. Before the challenge began, we looked at each other and made a silent promise: we are going to win this.

That belief wasn’t born out of ego. It came from something deeper. The same unwavering focus that had guided us through every project. Whether we were planning installations, trivia nights, or hikes, we always moved with vision. We always had a goal. And we always had each other. As the rounds went on and the paper shrunk beneath our feet, our competitors began to stumble, wobble, and fall away. But we kept going. Not just with steps, but with strategy, with strength, and with shared stubbornness. When there was almost no space left, we didn’t panic. We adapted.

One of us climbed onto the other’s back. And we kept dancing.

The crowd erupted. We had done it. We had won.

But more than the cheers, more than the fun, that moment was a symbol of our entire journey. It showed how we’d led all year long: with grit, with love, and with a readiness to lift each other up in every way.

Baila Night wasn’t just the end of our term. It was the perfect final chapter. Loud, fearless, and unforgettable. Just like us.

A Goodbye That Isn’t Really Goodbye

This year, Club Service was more than a Rotaract Avenue to us. It was our playground, our battlefield, our therapy room, and most of all, our home. We didn’t just coordinate events. We grew, as leaders, as friends, as women who learned how to carry not just responsibilities, but each other, through it all. And while our term ends here, the memories and the bond we’ve built will last far beyond the deadlines and dance floors. This wasn’t just a series of projects. It was a journey of resilience, laughter, compromise, and connection. The kind of year you carry in your heart long after the term ends.

We came into this year as co-directors. We’re leaving it as best friends who’ve shared one of the most defining adventures of our lives.

Here’s to the madness, the milestones, and to always finding the joy, even on a shrinking dance floor.

-Rtr. Hashini Welagedara & Rtr. Piumi Kandanaarachchi (Club Service Co-Directors)