Woburn High School Holds Annual Holiday Dance for the Senior Class

by Michaela Quigley

With the holiday season here, students at Woburn Memorial High School started celebrating by holding The Holiday Dance. This semiformal dance was held on December 7 in the high school lobby. It took place between the hours of 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm, which meant three hours of music and dancing. The Holiday Dance was held for the seniors and their guests; this dance is something students look forward to from their freshman year.

Senior Haley Rafferty thinks the dance was a success.

“[The dance] was fun. It was my favorite dance of the year so far and one of the best of all four years,” said Rafferty.

Haley Rafferty is not the only one to feel this way. Senior Christina O’Brien agrees.

“I did not want the night to end. My last dance in the high school lobby was the best,” said O’Brien.

The theme of a holiday dance made it special. There is no other dance at Woburn High that celebrates the winter holidays. Senior Rachel Carbone felt that this dance was different from all others.

Carbone said, “I liked the theme of Christmas because we have never had that. [I also liked this dance since] the seniors [are the only ones] to get this dance so it’s like having prom twice.”

Because the theme was centered around the winter holidays, students wore winter colors. The most popular colors to wear were red, green, blue, white, and gold. Some students even wore Santa hats and Christmas ties. Since students only wear semiformal clothing a few times a year, people, such as O’Brien, didn’t mind getting dressed up.

“Everyone looked great in festive winter colors,” said O’Brien. “I always enjoy getting dressed up for a fun night with my friends.”

To get into the spirit of this jolly time, students belonging to the activities committee transformed the lobby into a winter wonderland. From the Christmas tree with presents under it to the streamers and lights, the lobby couldn’t get more festive. It helped students get into the holiday spirit.

In order to hold a successful dance, a well liked DJ must be hired. The DJ was Wild Bill and he played popular songs which were great to dance to.

"The DJ played upbeat music all night,” said O’Brien.

The only complaint was that the DJ did not play any holiday music. Playing holiday music would have completed the theme and would have gotten the students more excited for the season. Senior Jared Baker wishes that the DJ did include some of this music.

“The dance was good but I wish it was more Christmassy, and the DJ was good but I wish he played more Christmas music,” said Baker.

A Mr. and Mrs. Santa were announced at the dance. This new idea was surprising and added something unique to the dance. The title was given to students who were dressed the most festively. The Mr. and Mrs. Santa were even given gift cards to The Ninety Nine Restaurant. This year’s winners were senior Justin Grooms and senior Chloe Gill.

Besides these two winners, one mystery chaperone got very festive. The chaperone was dressed as Santa and led a conga line. Although conga lines are seen as being childish, everyone joined in and could not stop laughing. 

The Holiday Dance was a dance that united the senior class and gave them a break from the college stress they are currently facing. Senior Ryan Glavin enjoyed it for these reasons.

“As a senior class we all enjoyed [the dance]. It relaxed us and took away from all of our college anxieties,” said Glavin.

Rafferty also was happy to have a special dance since she will be graduating in June and will miss everyone.

Rafferty said, “It’s sad to think that that was my last dance at the high school ever with my classmates. I am going to miss all the Woburn High dances when I leave for college.”

Baker feels the same way as Rafferty and said, “It’s sad that it’s our last dance at the high school because I am realizing that we are all growing up and won’t be in high school in a few more months.”

Seniors will be able to take the memories with them to college since Burlington Studios was there. Pictures with a date or friends could be taken and Burlington Studios even captured candid shots.

The Holiday Dance was a success. Students were able to celebrate the holidays as a senior class. This dance was bittersweet and will be one thing that students look back on after graduating.