TP_021617

tinleyjunction.com Life & Arts
the tinley junction | February 16, 2017 | 25
Daddy-daughter dance brings families together
Megann Horstead
Freelance Reporter
The gymnasium at St.
George School transformed
into a dance floor fit for Valentine’s
Day Feb. 11, as children
who donned gowns and
corsages were accompanied
by their fathers and grandfathers
for a night on the town.
The inaugural My Guy &
Me dance drew a crowd of
guests as it was intended to
create a space where memories
are made.
LaTunya Bradley, a coordinator
for the festivities,
greeted guests as they arrived
and took to the red
carpet. The inaugural event
was expected to bring in 115
people, she said.
“We’ve talked about getting
together with the dads
and daughters and doing
something special to highlight
that relationship,”
Bradley said. “We wanted to
put this on at the Valentine’s
season to make sure we honor
the relationship.”
The room was equipped
with all the necessities for
the special occasion.
Balloons floated in the air,
a dance floor was set up with
a DJ that spun music and colored
lights flashed. Children
and their parents also waited
in line for the photo booth
in between bites of food and
bits of conversation.
From the chicken dance
and the cha-cha slide to slow
dancing and the hokey-pokey,
the My Guy & Me dance
pulled out all the stops to
provide children and their
parents with an experience
they would not forget.
Bradley said the event’s importance
rings true for many.
“I think it’s an opportunity
for the dads or granddads or
aunts or uncles to participate
solely with their child,” she
said. “It gives them a chance
to bond and build a relationship.
It’s a memorable event;
it’s something that you’ll
take away with you.”
Just ask George Wilson,
of Matteson. He sat at a table
decorated with white tablecloth
watching his 11-yearold
daughter, Faith Wilson,
from afar as she mingled
with friends.
“It’s good to actually invite
us out,” Wilson said.
“[I] anticipate dancing and
taking pictures.”
Wilson said bonding with
his daughter is important to
him.
“I think that we do bond a
lot, but I just think that evenings
like this kind of help
along with the process,” he
said.
Francesco Minonne, of
Tinley Park, said he’s glad
he and his 8-year- old daughter,
Celia Minonne, decided
to step out together for an
evening of fun.
“It seems like a nice social
event [to] get together [and]
meet some of the fathers I’ve
never met,” he said. “My
daughter has a good time being
with her friends.”
Minonne was enjoying
bites of food between bits of
conversation as he sat next
to his daughter.
“After working all day,
weekends and nights, it’s a
nice break and a nice way
to introduce her to dating
and what it’s like to be out
socializing on a whole different
level, not just going
to dinner or hanging out,” he
said. “She gets a chance to
dress up a little bit and look
nice, and [I get to] show her
what a gentleman does when
you go out on a date.”
Minonne said this was one
event he was looking forward
to attending.
“They actually sent out
a flyer in my daughter’s
class,” he said.
Minonne said he sees
himself returning to the My
Guy & Me dance if another
should be hosted next year.
“So far, I think [I would
come back for] the photo
A DJ spins music throughout the evening as part of the inaugural My Guy & Me at St. George School in Tinley Park.
Photos by Megann Horstead/22nd Century Media
booth,” he said. “My daughter
seems [to like] the photo
booth. That would be the
first part.”
Bob Bonner, also of Tinley
Park, was in attendance
for the My Guy & Me dance
with his 8-year-old niece
Breana. He said he enjoys
seeing her involved in school
activities.
“It seems like it’s fun
for all the girls,” Bonner
said. “They’re just running
around acting crazy.”
Bonner said after learning
of the event, he made it a priority
to go with his niece.
“She’s new at the school,”
he said. “This is her first
year, we just want to be a
part of all the events and be
more part of the school and
just take part in things and
contribute.”
Bonner said he would
surely return to the My Guy
& Me dance if the school
hosted another next year.
“I want her to have as
many opportunities to meet
other kids and be a part of
the school [as much] as possible,”
he said.
ABOVE: Robert McAvoy,
right, and his daughter
Leah McAvoy, 7, show
off their moves during
the dance at the St.
George School gym.
LEFT: Guests pack
the St. George School
gymnasium for the
inaugural dance while
enjoying food, drinks
and a photo booth.