Dads get chance to dance, connect with daughters

Steve and Sarah Boss of Mount Prospect have been dressing up and stepping out to the Prospect High School Daddy-Daughter Dance since Sarah was 3.

Now she is about to turn 10 and they are continuing the tradition, planning their special evening weeks in advance.

"We both dress up. She wears a dress and I wear a suit," Boss said, "and we go out for pizza or whatever she wants and sometimes even cocoa and coffee afterward.

"You can't put a dollar amount on time spent with your daughter, so I wouldn't miss this dance," he said.

He's watched his daughter grow since starting the tradition.

"The first couple of years when she was younger it was mainly a playtime event with lots of running around with her friends," Boss said. "But last year we were together 75 percent of the time and were dancing almost non-stop."

The annual event, which is aimed at girls from 3 to 10 and is in its eighth year, is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 2. Held in the Prospect High School field house, 801 W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, it is sponsored by the Freshman Treble Choir and by Company, the women's show choir, both of which are under the direction of Jennifer Troiano.

Tickets usually sell out, according to Lin Carvell, this year's chairman. Call (847) 797-8635 early to make reservations. The cost is $15 per father (or significant adult male). The girls are free.

Rob Nicholl is taking both of his daughters to the dance this year, he said. He went with his older daughter, Maeve, last year and enjoyed it so much that he is including his younger daughter, Lily, this year.

"It made Maeve feel special to be there and have our picture taken," said Nicholl of Mount Prospect. "And even though she danced with her friends more than me, I had a good time with the other dads and watching Maeve have such a good time."

Even the tiny girls enjoy a chance to spend special time with their fathers. Janelle Gartz of Mount Prospect wasn't even 3 last year when she and her father, Mark, went to the dance.

"Janelle had a blast," said her mother Joyce. "She checked out what everyone was wearing and this year she knew what she wanted. She already has her pink and black dress and shoes all ready."

Mark Gartz and some other dads took their girls out to dinner beforehand and then attended the dance.

In the case of the Gartz family, both mom and dad were at the dance because Joyce was helping to take photographs of the couples.

"It was amazing to see how many dads came with their daughters," Joyce said. "They treated their daughters like princesses that night."

The event is staffed and run by members of the two women's choirs and the choral boosters.

If you go

What: Daddy-Daughter Dance, sponsored by the Prospect High School Freshman Treble Choir and Company, the women's show choir

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 2

Where: Prospect High School field house, 801 W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect

Cost: $15 per dad or significant adult male; girls are free

Call: (847) 797-8635