Father Daughter Dance 10 Year Anniversary | 2017

Mizahna Burner and Proud Papa Pasquell

Dance Strengthens Bonds Between Father, Daughter

For the 10 th year in a row, daughters and their fathers or significant male figures throughout the community are invited to attend what has become a proud and ever more popular tradition at Beloit Memorial High School (BMHS).

On the calendar for 3:00 to 5 p.m., Feb. 25 th in the high school’s Barkin Arena, this year’s event is $15 per couple with tickets sold at the doors which will open at 2 p.m. for photos. As in the past, proceeds help support programs at BMHS.

 

 
Beloiter Pasquell Wisdom has taken his daughter Mizahna, 13, to the event for seven years and says he cannot wait to attend this year’s Father Daughter Dance.

“I believe it is very important for a father to be involved in his daughter’s life,” Wisdom explains. “It is important for a daughter to have a strong male figure. It is super important. And the dance helps with that. It helps you understand her and your daughter understand you.

 
Continuing, he says, “One of the things I enjoy is seeing everyone there on the ‘up’ side. We all have hard or bad moments, but the dance can also get your mind off of that. And the dance also gives you a legitimate reason to dress up.”

Parent Jim Cronin who previously attended with his daughter Olivia echoes Wisdom. “This is something these kids remember for a long time if not forever,” Cronin said. “Getting dressed up for a ‘date’ and getting flowers should happen more often with fathers and daughters, but unfortunately life gets in the way. This event allows dad and daughters a chance to circle the calendar, if you will, for a chance to do so.

“Another side benefit is you have fathers and daughters from all different walks of life and all of us are in the same boat. We are dads to daughters who pretty much have us wrapped around their little fingers.”

Olivia Cronin and her proud Papa Jim

 
Last year, there were an estimated 900 to 1,000 attendees, according to BMHS Vice Principal John Kaminski who has organized the event for the past several years and says he is looking forward to an even greater number.

Since the dance began and was held in the high school cafeteria, attendance has tripled, Kaminski said. In 2015 the event was moved to the larger Barkin to accommodate increasing interest.

Over the years, in addition to the dancing, daughters have been given the opportunity to share memories about fathers and vice versa, and fathers and significant males have been given flowers to present to their daughters.

 

 
Kaminski said he has heard many positive comments from fathers over the years, all of which “reinforce why we do this.” Here are a few:

‘My daughter has been talking about this event for three weeks.’
‘This is our fourth year and it has become an annual event for us.’
‘I work 60 hours a week including Saturdays but this is one Saturday I do not miss with my daughter.’ ”

As Kaminski always says, “Dads – this may be your last chance to dance with your daughter before her wedding day!”
 

Donations Needed

The dance committee is accepting donations of cookies and punch. Please drop off items at the high school in care of John Kaminski.

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