by Elia McKnight, EO Class of 2023

There’s no better way to end the holiday stress than celebrating the season! This year’s Christmas Classic holiday dance was a total success. From the planning to decorating and dancing the night away, LCCTC was “wrapped” up in the dance’s festive frenzy all week and for weeks before.

The whole school came together and worked with the Student Council to make the night possible as study hall students kindly assembled decorations. Restaurant Trades kept everyone stuffed with their delicious treats from meats and cheeses, chips with salsa and chicken dip, and cocoa and cookies. Teachers added sparkle to the scene in their own getups ready to join us on the dance floor!

Student Council members were pleased to see their months of planning finally come to light. Through the planning, they were able to spread joy by bringing everyone together. Decorating is always a blast with new friends as the members of the committee took the time to get to know other students in the club — new friends that, otherwise, they would never have a chance to talk to.

For vet Assistant senior Patricia Kelly (NC), “Planning, decorating, and announcing the Holiday Court and Queen was such an incredible opportunity to participate in. And I’m excited to help plan for Prom in the spring!”

The Student Council did a lovely job transforming our cafeteria from a typical eatery with tables and benches into a classy venue that included a large dance floor stocked with dazzling decorations and an atmosphere that made each attendee ready to fa-la-la the night away. Thank you for putting so much hard work into giving our school the best holiday dance yet!

The dance itself was a work of wonder. As we entered the doors, the CTC lobby Christmas tree was on full display. Clark Studios provided a professional photo option with a soft, snowy background and Student Council displayed a more casual photo booth down the hallway for the perfect goofy group picture riding in Cousin Eddy’s Winnebago from Christmas Vacation! If it couldn’t get any better, tables of food and refreshments lined the walls where you could retreat with friends for a breather from the dance floor. The cafeteria was unrecognizable with pops of red and green; classic Christmas decorations which included sparkling lights, wreaths, trees, and even a traditional “leg lamp” were “present” scattered in every corner of the room. A slide show of Christmas favorites like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Grinch, and Home Alone enhanced the theme of the night. A hot chocolate bar was a favorite stopping spot and, of course the DJ kept the party happily hopping all night long.

All in attendance danced and mingled, the room sparkling in unison from the stunning dresses and suits. By 7:30, heels had been kicked off and jackets hung up so dancers could comfortably boogie to the Cotton Eye Joe, Cupid Shuffle, and Electric Slide. Even Mrs. Caiazza and Officer Hoyland tore up the dance floor to show us how it’s done!

Around 8 o’clock, Holiday Court candidates and their escorts were rounded up and called up onto the stage for official introductions:

Lacey Ables, Veterinary Assistant Senior from Ellwood City
Rebecca Carbone, Veterinary Assistant Senior from New Castle
Cassidy Kale, Veterinary Assistant Senior from Shenango
Kayla Kelley, Veterinary Assistant Senior from New Castle
Elia McKnight, Electrical Occupations Senior from Laurel
Daijhre Washington, Health Assistant Senior from New Castle

The room was hung in suspense as a call from the Master of Ceremonies, Patricia Kelly, called for a drum roll. The attendees all drummed their palms on the tables, some with hands to knees; once the drumming sound rose to a gentle roar, the announcement was given. “This year's holiday dance queen is . . . Cassidy Kale!” Cheers and applause rose from the crowd and court members as our queen was crowned, a bouquet of fresh flowers was laid in her arms, and her picture was taken.

To wind down from the excitement of crowning our queen, slow songs were played for students to dance to with their sweethearts before ending the night. With smiles on their faces, attendees slowly hobbled out of the cafeteria, shoes in one hand, and one last cookie or two in the other.

Make sure to save the date for next year’s holiday dance on your calendar. It will be sure to be a lot of fun, once again!