Wasn’t that a party!

St. Vital

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2024 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I have been approached by more than one person to tell the world about the feel-good reception that Dakota Collegiate staff and students lavished on us seniors of the area on Nov. 24, 2023.

As soon as we deboarded our bus, we were welcomed by two rows of young men in black and gold Lancer football uniforms. Each one offered an arm and escorted us with our walkers to our tables inside. Here, young people, also in their school colours, were soon approaching us with beverages and dainties and trying eagerly to engage us in conversation.

The girl who served me was from Afghanistan, she said. Alright! A welcome new experience for me. You looked around and noticed details suggesting the variety of countries this totally integrated student body represented.

And you felt a genuine pride in knowing that St. Vital schools have taken in students from other cultures who have adapted so thoroughly to us and we to them. The MLAs and Louis Riel School Division trustees and superintendents present would have noticed it, too. With wars raging in Ukraine/Russia and Israel/Gaza, surely every bit of exposure to each other’s culture is sorely needed to preserve humanity.

When asked, Dakota principal Jill Mathez quickly pointed out that Lee-Ann Chouinard, staff member and community liaison, was to be credited for organizing the evening program. And Ms. Chouinard anxiously pointed out that staff and directors had assisted her.

Darren Ritchie and the Dakota jazz band put on the most animated, intense show ever! Rick Shulz , Dakota guitar students and some alumni Lancers showed how versatile their music programs are. Justin Odwak led his musical theatre students in Somewhere Over the Rainbow, from this year’s play, The Wizard of Oz. Coach Abbas Butt and the schools junior varsity and varsity football athletes provided hospitality at the reception line. Student and staff volunteers assisted throughout, with emceeing ably handled by Lancer students.

But nothing amused me more than the finale. Out of the depths of the building came a line of black-and gold-outfits — a conga line — which wended its way around the gym. They even cajoled several seniors to join in and stole the show! We sang a few carols and, right on time, were again escorted royally for free rides home.

This is how our Dakota House administrator-escorts summed things up:

“Watching everyone laughing, singing and dancing made me feel so happy. Age didn’t matter,” Kristen Kemball said. “We were like one big happy family, forgetting all of life’s struggles and truly enjoying each other’s company.”

“I had heard many great things about previous years from our residents, but I had no idea just how much of a party it was going to be,” Karen Erlandson added. “It was so well-organized and just delightful to see how much fun everyone was having.”

Happy new year, everyone!