Tara Elementary hosts its annual Sweetheart Dance

The annual dance gives students and their families a chance to show off their moves.

By Liz Ramos
| 9:00 a.m. February 11, 2023

Third grader Kaylee Casablanca loves dancing with her sister Briana Casablanca and third grader Aubrielle Deaugustinis.

East County
Schools

Colleen Fackler and her son Declan Flacker, a first grader at Tara Elementary School, hit the dance floor during the school's annual Sweetheart Dance.

"I'm no stranger to the dance floor, so we're having a fun time," Collen Flacker said. "We love to dance so much."

Colleen Fackler said the dance Feb. 10 was an opportunity for Declan to step out of his shell and have fun with his friends.

For fifth graders like Isabella Carberry, this year's sweetheart dance was the last chance for her to make memories at the dance before moving onto middle school.

Carberry's mother, Traci Carberry, said Isabella didn't want to attend the dance at first, but once she arrived, she was excited to be with her friends.

Fifth grader Samuel Moya has his guitar, which was painted with a Florida theme, on display during the sweetheart dance.

Fifth grader Kadem Spikes shows off the guitar he painted during Art Club. He says the guitar has a sky theme complete with a flying squirrel, toucan, kite, butterfly and airplane.

Logan Hagood dances to the "Cha Cha Slide" with her mother, Melissa Hagood, who is a first grade teacher at Tara Elementary School.

Fifth graders Ava Mohamed, Piper Bush and Liana Sienkiewicz get their photo taken with Callie, the school's therapy dog.

Laura Campbell, the principal of Tara Elementary School, leads students in the "Cha Cha Slide."

Fifth grader Isabella Carberry, Kevin Carberry, third grader Logan Carberry and Traci Carberry love being together at the sweetheart dance, which is Isabella Carberry's last before moving onto middle school.

Daniel Sapuppo's second grader Callie Sapuppo performed with the dance team before the sweetheart dance began. "I like dancing in front of everyone," she says.

First grader Holland Whitlock and Katey Phipps take a break from the dance floor.

Danielle Jones and Eddie Jones took their kindergartner Grant Jones to his first sweetheart dance.

Colleen Fackler dances with her first grader Declan Fackler. "I'm no stranger to the dance floor," Colleen Fackler says.

Alison Bowman dances with her third grader, Hailey Bowman. "This is great," Alison Bowman says. Hailey Bowman enjoyed the chocolate cupcakes.

Third graders Mia Sacchi, Jade Servetz and Faxon Schiller have fun petting Callie, the school's therapy dog.

Third grader Payslie Hillman and Jennie Haldeman have a wonderful time at the sweetheart dance.

Samara Withrow and Dave Withrow have fun taking their daughter Allie Rose Withrow, who is in kindergarten, to her first sweetheart dance. "She's having fun," Dave Withrow says of his daughter. "She's enjoyed the food, dancing and the beads."

Fifth grader Tobias Guillermoni and his brother Francesco Guillermoni, who is in third grade, make their way to the dance floor.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.