Mona Jain students celebrate Valentine's Day with dance
By
Pam Eubanks
| 10:49 p.m. February 13, 2020
East County
Neighbors
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Sixth grader Maya Gilkison could have gone home right after school to celebrate her birthday Feb.13. Instead, she stayed late, tagging along with friends to Dr. Mona Jain Middle School’s first Valentine’s Dance, held in the school cafeteria.
After dancing for awhile, Gilkison received a piggyback ride across the cafeteria from friend Caitlin Conley, who celebrated her birthday one day later, Feb. 14.
“It’s pretty cool,” Gilkison said of having a dance on her birthday. “I can sort of say the school had a birthday party for me.”
The girls joined about 200 classmates for the event, hosted by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. Students enjoyed socializing, dancing and pizza.
Sixth graders Madelyn Boyd, Ireland Coleman, Alexis McInerney and Namita Kondabala love being with friends at the dance.
Sixth graders Caylee Ortiz, Brianna Camann and Payton Casto are all smiles. "It's awesome. We all get together and we get to have fun," Casto said.
Seventh graders Joseph Knight and Denver Brown stock up on drinks.
Maya Gilkison gets a piggyback ride from friend Caitlin Conley after they finish dancing.
Sixth graders Jacyee Heller and Jayda Reid head to the dance floor for the song "Watch Me."
Clarissa Molinar, Caitlyn Webb, Laila Ward, Gianna Davis and Vera Johnson are all eighth graders.
Sixth grader Olivia Autrey and friend Hana Pierce dance to the "Cupid Shuffle."
Sixth grader Edgar Mateo does the "Wobble" with friends.
Clockwise from left: Seventh graders Tykia Robinson, Serenity River, Olivia Guyton and Madison Wilkins groove to "Wobble Baby."
Seventh grader Jenna Sardo and eighth grader Gannon Weiner enjoyed dancing to their favorite songs.
Sixth graders Natalie Fellows and Aleah Killan dance to "Timber."
Sixth graders Camlin Woodwreth and Kayla Moreira are all smiles as they head back to dance floor after a quick break.
