Father-daughter Valentine Dance a hit
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
HOULTON’S YOUNG PRINCESSES — Seen here on the line for their souvenir flowers are from left: Breanna Jipson, Madison Grant, Samantha Johnson, big sister Grace Johnson, Martha King, and Kelsey Sewell. They said they had a great time at Houlton Elementary’s first Daughter Dance.
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — High-spirited fun, smiles and laughter trademarked the evening last Friday night as girls from the fourth through ninth grades were escorted by their fathers, uncles, grandfathers and heroes to a Daughter Valentine Dance at Houlton Elementary School. It looked like the prom any one of the parents could have attended years ago, but age-appropriate for the younger set. With a photo room off to one side, red and white lights draped above and around the dance floor, thematic heart and cupid decorations, wrist corsages on many girls, silken long stem rose souvenirs for each girl and smiles everywhere, it was surely a night for the memory books.
Danica Pray, a parent who took souvenir photos, said the first-ever daughter dance was “Awesome. They’re having a lot of fun and they love dressing up like little princesses.” That sentiment was borne out by the smiles, giggles and energy of the evening.
Levi Davis escorted his daughters Chloe and Eden who were so anxious to hit the dance floor, he had to convince his youngest, Eden, to stop for a Pioneer Times photo. Another parent, Dennis King, said it looked as though many of the girls were having a great time with their friends racing around the dance floor. Several proud fathers watched the rapid scramble of little girls in mad-cap dancing to fast-paced music.
Principal Candace Crane said she estimated around 100 students attended the event sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization that also brought out other significant male figures in the children’s lives. She had high praise for PTO members that contacted families who provided food and refreshments. “We have a wonderful, wonderful parent network here and we really appreciate it,” said Crane of the event and lavish spread that even included a beverage fountain.
