It was standing room only on Feb. 18, around a very active dance floor, and although tables and chairs were available, they were mostly empty.
Dads and daughters, dressed to impress – were out cutting a rug.
“It’s a magical night for all the daughters to enjoy,” said dad Kevin Hauke of the sixth annual father-daughter dance held at St. John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa Hauke has seven children, five of
whom attended St. John’s.
“I’ve been to many father-daughter dances here,” he said. “This is a beautiful night with lots of fun, dancing, picture-taking and snacks and the kids and the dads are all dressed up and having a wonderful time.”
The dance is a well-loved event and the students look forward to it every year. Gus Hernandez, father of 6 year-old Mariana and 13-year-old Rita said, “The dance is like a girls’ night out with dad.”
A FATHER AND HIS DAUGHTER SHARE A HUG DURING THE SIXTH ANNUAL FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE HELD AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL IN COSTA MESA HELD ON FEB. 18.
For busy dads, it’s not always easy to spend quality time with their children who likewise have full schedules with school and extracurriculars.
A FATHER SWINGS HIS DAUGHTER UP IN THE AIR AS THEY DANCE DURING THE SIXTH ANNUAL FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE HELD AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL IN COSTA MESA HELD ON FEB. 18. PHOTOS BY SPENCER GRANT/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“Dads spending this time with their daughters is priceless,” said school principal Paula Viles. “There are lots of smiles and laughter.”
DJ Mark Fortier made sure the enthusiastic crowd of around 250 enjoyed a wide variety of dances. Starting out with spinning hula-hoops to music, he then lead the crowd through the Cupid Shuffle, a Conga Line, the Macarena, the Chicken, the Hokey Pokey and more.
Dessert treats included cookies, brownies and punch supplied by the moms, who also decorated the parish hall with pink, white and red balloons on the ceiling plus paper flowers on the walls, reflecting the specialness of the event.
“They love making the event special for everyone,” said Principal Viles. Volunteer Cindy Gomez, grandmother of a kindergartener, said she expected “a lot of happy, worn-out kids
tonight.”
Fr. Damien Giap, O. Praem, school rector, said that the dance benefits the school by promoting family values and demonstrating that holiness and fun can go hand in hand.
Fr. Damien added, “It shows that Catholicism is about joy and wholesome activities.”