Middle-schoolers gussied up for all-county prom

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 16, 2011

The drizzling rain didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits and may have helped hide some parents tears as they saw as their little one’s looking more grown up than ever before.
The fifth annual All County Middle School Prom was held Saturday night at the Miller Center, it was packed with nearly 200 middle schoolers from Rowan County.
Girls wearing tiaras and boys in top hats were shining like Hollywood stars as they descended the stairs to the building along a red carpet. Parents and grandparents took pictures of family and friends as the guests excitedly waited to go inside.
The idea of having a middle school prom came about when Talita McCain, the Recreation Coordinator at City Park Center, was trying to come up with some different programs for teens and preteens. With dancing being so popular with the middle school age group, a prom seemed like a perfect fit.
McCain thinks it is a great age to starting teaching kids how to conduct themselves at different types of social and formal events. McCain’s favorite part of the night was seeing all of the kids dressed up.
“You can see they feel good, their confidence level is up when they are all dressed up,” McCain said.
In addition to dancing the night away, guests were invited to enjoy finger foods and drinks and also had the opportunity to have their photograph taken.
Gage Riznyk couldn’t have asked for a bigger party on his 12th birthday, instead of a traditional party, he spent the evening at the prom, celebrating and hanging out with friends.
“It’s pretty cool,” Gage said about sharing his day with over 175 of his peers.
The middle school prom is open to all Rowan County residents in grades six through eight, including home schooled students.