A RADical winter formal

Keira Sarni

More stories from Keira Sarni

MEGAARTICLE
May 24, 2022
Julia+and+I+snapped+a+photo+after+doing+her+hair.

(Photo Credit: Keira Sarni)

Julia and I snapped a photo after doing her hair.

On Friday, Dec. 3, the seniors of Rosary Academy hosted a RAD winter formal in the Karcher Center. Themed as “Christmas in Paris,” guests of the dance, members of RAD (Rising Above Disabilities) and RAD Camp, enjoyed a night filled with dancing, laughter, food, and games. This event was extremely enriching as it gave Rosary and Servite seniors a chance to bond with children and adults with disabilities in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

I did not really know what to expect when signing up for this event, but I knew that I would have a blast if I came in with an open mind, and I was right. I signed up for hair and nails, meaning I would style the girls’ hair if they wanted to come early, and many did.

While I was waiting in room seven for my next “client,” a teenage girl (looking to be about my age) walked in the door. Smiling from ear to ear, Julia Kelly, an eighteen-year-old with Down’s Syndrome, walked up to me and sat down in my chair. Immediately striking up a conversation, we exchanged social media handles and began discussing our favorite bands, movies, hobbies, and more. As I curled her hair, we discussed her love for singing and musicals and how she aspires to be on Broadway someday. When I was done, she asked me to go outside with her and play some games. We played cornhole as other guests were arriving and told jokes about who we thought would have the funniest dance moves.

Mid-dance, Julia and I strike a pose. (Photo Provided by Keira Sarni)

When walking into the dance, Rosary and Servite senior volunteers made a tunnel for our guests to go through. This experience, somewhat typical to the Royals in rallies or Red and Gold kickoff, seemed intimidating for Julia. She held my hand tightly, and the two of us ran through the tunnel together. She loved it so much that she insisted we go again. We entered the dance, snapped a couple of pictures in the photo booth, and grabbed some snacks before hitting the dance floor, which was, in my opinion, the best part of the dance.

DJ Steve played all the latest pop songs to school-dance classics, playing Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” Village People’s “YMCA,” Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” and everything in between. These 90s hip-hop jams and current hits fueled the energy on the dance floor with every dance style imaginable.

Santa Claus eventually came down to surprise the guests with candy canes and pictures, even booging to some of DJ Steve’s songs. Julia especially loved this part as she wound up with five full-size candy canes and a plethora of selfies and pictures with Santa on her camera roll.

The night slowed down as the DJ played our final song. We danced and sang as the night came to a close. Julia’s parents came down to get her as Julia said goodbye to all of her new friends.

Servite senior Lucca Deocariza, one of Julia’s newest friends, commented on his experience at the RAD winter formal saying, “When signing up for the service project opportunity at Rosary, I had absolutely zero expectations for that night, but it turned into one of the best high school experiences I can recall, all thanks to the guests. Being able to see the smiles on everyone’s faces and really sit down and get to know them was utterly heartwarming. I really enjoyed interacting with and meeting all the new people and look forward to the opportunity to go back and volunteer at RAD camp this summer. I encourage anyone and everyone to look into it because I honestly had the time of my life.”

Rosary senior Elena Walz commented on her experience, “It was super fun to dance with everybody. I danced with so many different people and they were all so happy to be there.”

Rosary senior Eloise Sherard, a regular RAD volunteer, said that her experience at the RAD winter formal was, “better than any school dance. It was one of the best nights of my life.”

I honestly had a better time at this dance than I have at any other high school dance. The environment was so inclusive, and it was okay to make a fool out of yourself on the dance floor because what mattered was that everyone was having fun. Serving the dear neighbor without distinction, we were all called to participate in this RAD winter formal and made the most out of every second of the dance.