Glow Dance big hit with students

October 19, 2009 • Jen Edwards  
Filed under News

Emily Strome spent more than an hour preparing for the Glow Dance.

She joined members of the girls varsity soccer team  and dressed in red, green, pink, silver and orange duct tape.

“We had a great time getting ready at Kelsey Herrick’s house,” said Strome. “Our neon duct tape was perfect for the Glow Dance theme.”

Despite a 24-17 loss to Silverton, more than 750 students paid $5 to join the party in the commons courtyard.

The administration was caught off guard by the long line of students waiting to enter the dance and understood the frustration of the students who had to wait more than 30 minutes to purchase tickets.

School policy requires the  administration to breathalyze every student.

last year and made more than $3500 for student council.

Holler also added that even though the courtyard was extremely crowded, “it’s better to have kids at school doing something fun than having them out somewhere on a Friday night doing dangerous things.”

“It was the best first dance we’ve ever had,” said DJ Dave Turnbull. “It was not only because all the kids who came, but the sound was better because we spread out the speakers. And if we only charge $5 and can make more than $3700, that just makes it even better.”

Like Emily and the rest of the girls’ soccer team, many students dressed up in bright colors and crazy clothing to celebrate the first dance of the year. “A bunch of people got ready at a house and we spent around an hour getting dressed up and decked out in glowsticks,” said sophomore Holly Strome. “It was definitely better than last year because of all the people who came.” Fellow sophomore Hannah Cook agrees. “It was so much fun getting ready because you can just make your t-shirts and other stuff.”

Some students like freshman Anna Young simply wore their SuperFan attire to the dance. “My friends and I got ready before the game and just wore our clothes to the dance,” she said. “We did take off some of our crazier pieces though.”

Unfortunately, the only downfall of the evening was that many dance-goers like Hannah were greeted with extremely congested front doors, thanks to the school’s policy of breathalyzing every student to enter. As per usual, three staff members operated the breathalyzers as excited students attempted to get into the central courtyard and show off their brightly colored outfits and glowstick accessories.

However, the late ending of the game meant that even though the dance started at 9:30 many students didn’t enter until around 10:00, which meant some students were not able to go to the dance at all because of a personal curfew.

Vice Principal Michael McDonald admitted that the administration was not fully prepared for the influx of students. “Normally we don’t get slammed like that,” he said, referring to the gradual arrivals of students at most other dances like Homecoming or Winter Formal as opposed to all the students trying to enter at once. “We probably need another breathalyzer, but it was a unique situation.” He then added that he would like to buy another breathalyzer if the school can afford it (they normally cost a few hundred dollars).

With all that said, the Glow Dance was still an enormous success, raising money for student council and providing students with a secure place to spend a Friday night. Holler is optimistic about next year’s dance; according to him, “[the administration] looks at it and says, ‘what can we do better next time?’”

Three administrators conducted the breathylyzer tests as quickly as possible, but the process was slowed because only three  breathylyzers were available for use.

Vice Principal Michael McDonald admitted that the administrators were not fully prepared for the influx of students.

“Normally we don’t get slammed like that,” said McDonald.

Typically during other dances, students arrive in staggered numbers. The problem occurs with dances scheduled after sporting events when large numbers of students enter at the same time.

“We probably need another breathalyzer, but the Glow Dance was a unique situation,“ McDonald said.

He wants to purchase another breathalyzer, but the $250 price tag is more than the school can afford at this time. “We may need to re-examine the idea of after-game dances,” said McDonald.

“I understand why the administrators have to breathalyze each student, but it was a big nuisance to everyone, and took a lot of time that could be spent enjoying the dance.” said freshman Lily Feldman.

“We didn’t expect that much of a line, but we’re glad everyone came and showed their school spirit,” said Activities Director Reno Holler. “It’s better to have kids at school doing something fun than having them out somewhere on a Friday night doing dangerous things.”

“It was the best first dance we’ve ever had,” said DJ Dave Turnbull. “It was not only because of all the kids who came, but the sound was better because we spread out the speakers. And if we only charge five dollars and can make more than $3700, that just makes it even better.”

Student Council profited more than $3700, which will help defray the cost of Homecoming.