This Masquerade Graduation Dinner-Dance

One of the last major activities of my son's 8th grade class was the graduation dinner-dance, and it took place last night at the Cabana Club in Warm Springs.

I chaired the Food Committee for this event, and with me, were 7 moms. Although we've known of this event months prior, it was only late last month that we sat down to discuss our plan. But having been together, as a class, for the last 9 years, it wasn't really difficult to pull this one off. We just needed to plan out the details and execute. And we did.

First thing we needed to settle was what kind of "dinner" would be served. I've gotten various feedbacks
from parents, who have had older siblings and have gone through the same event, that all the kids wanted were finger foods. What???? For a graduation dinner-dance???? That can't be right. And even if they did, I thought that needed to change. This was, after all, a formal event and not a junior high dance.

I suggested that we poll the kids to find out exactly what they wanted -- finger food or sit-down dinner? We coordinated with Mr. Landeza to have the poll conducted during one of his classes. As it turned out, the kids wanted a sit-down dinner. They even identified what dishes they wanted, from main course to dessert. And, they wanted Mr. Landeza to cater, too. Because he "loves the class" (in his own words), we agreed to cater the event, at cost. The kids wanted fried chicken, tri tip, salad, and a chocolate fountain dip, with marshmallows and strawberries.

We were given a small budget to work with. If we did finger foods, maybe it would just be enough. But for the menu they wanted, we needed more. So I sent out a heads-up email to the class that we may be soliciting $10 per family to help cover the cost of catered food. In addition, we may be needing some donation for desserts and other related food items and resources as well. Somehow, the additional money I asked for didn't sit well with school administrators and have asked me to recall the request. Whether someone from the class complained or they just didn't like the idea, I do not know, do not wish to find out, and don't care. Instead, they were willing to provide the additional funds. I've never been involved in a school-sanctioned activity, wherein I solicited additional money, so all this was new to me. I do not know the logic behind it, and I do not intend to, since this was my last event and I do not see myself ever coming back or involving myself with the school in any capacity in the foreseeable future.

As the event drew closer, there were a lot of back and forth with Mr. Landeza about details, like the menu and what resources he needed. There were a few last minute changes and required resources originally not planned for, including a water hose as part of a safety precaution if we needed to grill with an open flame in the patio area. But like this class always did in past years, we managed to pull through and get the job done.

On event night, a few members from the Food Comm were already busy helping out Mr. Landeza with food
prep and table arrangements. Kudos to the ladies on our team for an excellent job prior to, during, and after the event. I could have not asked for anything more. They made sure everything went on as planned. Working closely with the Decorations Team, the Cabana Club was transformed into a scaled-down version of a hip, masquerade-themed party place, complete with DJ, mini bar (for sodas only), and a decorated photo corner. You wouldn't tell it was for 8th graders.

Dinner was served buffet-style, which also included ceasar salad, garlic green beans, and rice, plus an assortment of fruits and home-made cupcakes. Aside from all 33 students, there were a good representation from the faculty and staff of the school, including the incoming principal, Mrs. Mendoza. One of the highlights of the evening was a slide show compilation of photographs of all the kids as babies up to the present, which also included a short message from each of the students (thank you, Senor Louie). It was an emotional moment not only for the kids, but for the parents as well.

While the kids were having a blast, on the other end of the alley way, one of the parents was hosting a get-together for the class parents as well. These fine folks have so graciously opened up their home to everyone as soon as they've dropped off their kids at the dinner-dance. During the entire evening, I was shuttling back and forth between the Cabana Club and the parents' party. At one point, we had to bring food from the Cabana Club to the party because there was just a lot of food.

At the stroke of 10, all the parents at the party, as well as those who came to pick up their child, headed to Cabana Club to help clean up the place. We needed to be out of there by 11, so everyone pitched in. In less than 45 minutes, the place was spotless. You couldn't tell that there was a huge party there a few minutes ago. The few that were left went back to the house at the end of the alley way to rest and wind down.

Just past midnight, we all headed home. It was a long day, but a satisfying one, knowing that the kids had a great time.