by Morgan Werth, Flyer staff writer

About 50 prom goers joined dance instructor Brad Victory on Wednesday morning in the Cave to learn some new moves before the weekend’s events. The 45 minute lesson focused on simple swing and ballroom dance, which was followed by a feast of 20 dozen donuts.

After the couples made it through the first few minutes, the awkward air had passed and the enthusiasm had stepped in. “I enjoyed seeing the students laughing and smiling but also taking it seriously,” Principal Vanessa Harshberger said.

The Cave floor was occupied with guys twirling gals and occasionally stopping to listen to Victory, who made his way around the students, guiding them step-by-step and teaching more complex moves as the lesson went on. When prom coordinator Shelbie Stuckey was asked what sparked the idea of Donuts & Dancing, she explained that it was a tradition at Bishop Carroll about 10 years ago and she thought it would be a fun idea to bring back.

“I think it really got everyone excited for prom and we all learned some new moves!” Stuckey said.

Harshberger was thrilled when this idea was proposed and is already hearing about how it could be improved next year. It is estimated that at least 50 students took advantage of the dance lesson during late start, which far exceeded what many had expected. Harshberger was not only impressed with the number but the diversity of students that participated. She could see improvement among several couples and the skill that some had already possessed.
“It was so much fun to spend my morning dancing; I didn’t even feel like I had missed out on sleeping in,” junior Zack Wright said.

Dancing & Donut’s success was obvious when students walked the halls with donuts in hand and slightly breathless. The Cotillion dance floor will be a little more in sync thanks to Brad Victory helping brush up the student body’s moves.