The evening’s theme was “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and festive cutouts of Peanuts characters could be spotted amid the Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths of evergreens that trimmed St. Joseph Commons.
The evening opened with a short skit performed by the Senior Class, in which Charlie Brown discovers the true meaning of Christmas through a wise reminder from his friend Linus: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
The seniors also performed live music, singing a few beloved Christmas songs before their audience received some exciting news: The senior class pulled some strings, and, against all odds, Santa Claus arrived from the North Pole! St. Nicholas himself treated listeners to a reading of “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” After he made his goodbye (with a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night), everyone crowded around the piano to sing Christmas hymns. “Having the whole school singing together is just so perfect,” said Liliana Helm (CA’27).
When the last strains of singing died away, the dancing began. Pairs twirled under the strings of lights, paper snowflakes, and mistletoe that hung from the rafters, while seniors serenaded them with Christmas classics.
At 9:00 p.m., the floor cleared for the annual waltz competition. Competitors glided across the room under the watchful eyes of the judges and the far less critical gaze of onlookers, who admired the dancers’ grace and skill. After some tough judicial decision-making, Patrick Murphy (’25) and Claire Rea (’25) won first place, an impressive feat considering that Patrick had danced in a knee brace. “Who needs an ACL with a partner that elegant?” he joked.
The dancing continued late into the night, and so did the sounds of music, conversation, and laughter that accompanied it. When the festivities came to an end at last, students left grateful for the tradition that allows them to celebrate Christmas with the whole College community. “It truly brings the campus together at the end of the first semester,” said Peter Ellis (CA’26).
Are there any gay couples there?
gay? What do you mean by “gay couples?” Not every story is about homosexuality. These young people are simply celebrating in a wholesome way.
No, but the photo is kind of creepy.
creepy, the little girl probably wanted to dance at the party like she saw the “older girls” (young college ladies) doing. To dance that way with an adult in a very public place (and be photographed), what’s creepy about that? Something on your mind?
creepy:
Did it occur to you that the child could be the man’s daughter or niece, or even kid sister (and I started college when my youngest sister was four)?
The barefoot girls remind me of my days supervising high school dances: the ladies wear impossible shoes for photos then kick them off for actually dancing.
A beautiful Christmas celebration at an outstanding, faithful Catholic college. Wonderful that the students learn classic, ballroom dance styles, especially the elegant walz, with lovely music. Many of the college grads from the outstanding Thomas Aquinas College, will be future fine leaders, of our country and our Church– the hope for the future. A long time ago, before the modern era, whole families often attended social activities in a town, such as dances and parties. There were activities for kids. Social activities — especially at Christmas, and other special celebrations– were all “family style,” especially in church groups. That is probably why you see a young college boy dancing whimsically with a child, in the photo, above– especially with the theme, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” — and a recitation of “The Night Before Christmas,” with Santa Claus– children were included, family style. Wonderful. There used to be styles of dances, like line dances, etc. that included all the people, young and old. These types of line dances and folk dances were also done at school, by school children. Very different than dances with partners, for couples of marriage age. Line dances and folk dances are often still done at big, ethnic weddings, to get everyone together out on the dance floor, to have a good time. That will include old and young people, children, even priests and nuns, in one, great big group– not partners, or couples. Lots of fun.