The school’s first winter dance, “A Starry Night,” featured a variety of activities and performances, expanding on a traditional homecoming or prom.

At the dawn of the dance, several small choir groups – including jazz choir – took their places outside to serenade incoming attendees.

Vocal students were given the chance to form small groups and select songs, holiday or not, including some that featured piano, guitar, and even ukulele.

Choir was approached by Student Government (StuGo) to sing throughout the dance, adding to the dance’s intended artistic ambience.

“Student Council wanted to make this [dance] more about the fine arts because it’s close to Winter Fest,” senior Lily Brower said. She stood among the jazz choir to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — a rendition highlighting many unique chordal tones and ranges.

Choir teacher Jameson Staley was excited to participate in the school’s first art-centered dance.

“I think [the dance] shows that school values performing arts and acknowledges the talent of its students and is willing to give them opportunities to share it with the community,” he said. Staley directed the performances, but allowed students the freedom to sing what they wanted.

Many students were excited to perform in front of peers and would be open to collaborating with StuGo on events in the future.

Accompanying the festive performances put on by choir were various food trucks that catered to every craving. Several trucks bordered the outskirts of the dance, giving students the option to skip any prior reservations and enjoy food on site. The trucks served food ranging from sweet to savory, offering the choice of a sugary treat or a hearty meal.

A favorite at the dance was the “Can’t Stop Smokin’ BBQ” truck. The truck offered a multitude of meats such as pork and beef, and delicious sides to accompany them like mac ‘n’ cheese and jalapeño beans. Although a bit messy, the food served was high-quality and satisfied the hunger of many.

Also highly rated by students was the beloved “Sodalicious” truck where customers can mix flavors to create fun, unique-tasting sodas. Flavors range all the way from a crisp, tropical taste to a feisty horchata flavor. They also offer delicious cookies and other goods for a reasonable price. Students were able to enjoy this while engaging in the various outdoor games at the dance.

The games present at the dance included cornhole, two tables of Jenga, and a giant, hand-built Connect Four board. The food and entertainment was creative and provided a pleasurable atmosphere for the outdoor area. “Choir sounded beautiful, the food was great, the games were fun,” explains attendant of the dance senior Mia Radtke, “it was done really nicely.”

The winter dance was a great night for those who sang and for those who came to dance to the music. Inexpensive but quality, “A Starry Night” successfully created a dance centered around the arts that was both enriching and entertaining.