Keep On Dancin’!

by Two Chums on April 11, 2016

enhanced-14062-1458747197-1

The tradition was started at a high school in Regina, Saskatchewan by an English teacher 28 years ago.

Her Grade 12 students invited senior citizens from the community for an evening dance, according to Ishmael N. Daro, journalist.

The tradition was started by an English teacher 28 years ago. Her Grade 12 students invited senior citizens from the community for an evening dance.
It soon became an annual event involving the whole school, and something everybody looks forward to, according to Raeleen Fehr-Rose, who helps organize the annual dance.

Although the dance is still the main event, students also put on a variety show beforehand. “It’s a combination of drama, dance, visual arts. They usually put on a few different numbers,” said Fehr-Rose.

Although the dance is still the main event, students also put on a variety show beforehand. "It's a combination of drama, dance, visual arts. They usually put on a few different numbers," said Fehr-Rose.
The students in the cooking class help prepare and serve the meals for the evening.

The students in the cooking class help prepare and serve the meals for the evening.
The evening is so popular that it crosses the boundaries of the school’s usual cliques, Fehr-Rose said. “I’ve had a number of athletes tell me this is the event in the school year they look forward to the most. Same with the artistic students.”

The evening is so popular that it crosses the boundaries of the school's usual cliques, Fehr-Rose said. "I've had a number of athletes tell me this is the event in the school year they look forward to the most. Same with the artistic students."

This year, due to provincial budget cuts to education, the school was in danger of having to cancel the event. An online fundraiser to raise $2,600 for the dance ended up raising more than $3,100.

A single Balfour alumnus anonymously donated $2,000 to keep the event alive.

“Anything that we are able to gain over and above that target we’re putting aside for next year’s event.”

"Anything that we are able to gain over and above that target we're putting aside for next year's event."

Most of the seniors who come to the dance are from nearby low-income housing complexes, and the dance represents a rare opportunity for them to get out and meet younger people. “Otherwise they tend to be shut-ins in the evenings.”

Most of the seniors who come to the dance are from nearby low-income housing complexes, and the dance represents a rare opportunity for them to get out and meet younger people. "Otherwise they tend to be shut-ins in the evenings."

And it also gives the students a chance to meet some amazing older folks. “I’ve had students asking me for about three weeks when I’m going to be asking for volunteers,” Fehr-Rose said.

🎉🎈Woo!🎈🎉

The 28th annual Balfour Senior Citizen’s Night takes place May 18. Well done, Balfour! We salute you!

More joy, more love, certainly makes for more abundance!

Your Two Chums are hopeful that, if the word gets around, more schools will pick up this wonderful baton!

2 Comments

Richard Horner #

What a lovely and touching story! That’s right up my alley, except the dancING part.

April 11, 2016
Lara Clardy #

What a wonderful idea!

April 11, 2016