The Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus gymnasium had been transformed into a dance room on Friday, Nov. 18 as junior high students of grades 7, 8 and 9 descended on the dance floor, and multi-coloured lights were brought in to keep up with the mood and pace of the event.
All attendes were encouraged to bring in an item for the Food Bank and at the end of the evening, there were three large green recycling bins filled with items.
Senior high school students played some foot-tapping numbers and kept the momentum going throughout the evening.
Main organizer of the event, Shonna Burkard said, "We started planning the dance a couple of weeks ago."
Over the last few weeks, Burkard advertised it and did all the groundwork, from buying the decorations to organizing the prom king and queen nomination process and getting the teacher and parent volunteer supervisors organized.
"We decorated the place after school on Friday itself," Burkard added.
With about 100 students in attendance, it was a good turnout.
Accoridng to Burkard, the dance is just a social gathering for the junior high student body.
"It's an opportunity for all students to get together outside of regular school hours," Burkard said. "We aim to have two evening dances and two afternoon dances every school year. Last year the student union came up with the idea of a formal dance for one of the dances, and it went very well, so this year, they decided to plan it again with hopes of similar success."
In Grade 7, the prom king was David Butterwick, while the prom queen was Gabby Heck; in Grade 8, it was Shay Anderson and Hailie Ripley; and in Grade 9, it was J.J. Llorin and Cassidy Braun.
A concession was run by parents as well, all profits from which goes back into the student union for use towards the year's planned activities in the school.
"The dance was a hit as the kids had fun and that's what matters most," Burkard explained. "I would like to thank all our parent volunteers and staff volunteers that helped decorate, supervise, run concession and ensure clean up went smoothly. The dances cannot take place without these wonderful volunteers."