Neuqua's day just for mothers and daughters

The turnabout dance, held the night before, was the hot topic of conversation Sunday during Neuqua Valley High School's 2nd Annual Mother Daughter Tea.

The event took place at Long Island Sound Banquets in Aurora.

In addition to tea and delicacies, those who attended heard music provided by the Neuqua Jazz Quintet.

Later in the afternoon, dozens of students modeled prom dresses and jewelry in a fashion show.

Neuqua senior Sydney Bailey sat at one of many decorated tables with two of her friends. The three ate finger foods while they chatted with their mothers.

"It's the day after Turnabout, so otherwise we'd be sleeping," Bailey said.

But do the girls prefer sleeping to tea with mom?

"We'd rather spend time with our moms," they said.

"Good answer!" their moms said from across the table.

Lauren Bailey, who attended the tea with her daughter last year, said the event gives mothers and daughters a great opportunity to spend time together.

"Everyone is so busy; there is never time to spend with your daughter," she said.

With the turnabout dance fresh in their daughters' minds, many moms saw the day as a chance to hear stories from the night before.

"Even the ride here was a good chance to talk," said JoAnn Hartley, whose daughter, Sara, is a senior at Neuqua. "An event like this is long overdue."

Two years ago, event co-chairs Ann Rabin and Jill Digrindakis saw the need for a mother/daughter event at Neuqua.

"They have a mother/son (event), a father/daughter (event)," Rabin said. "We wanted an event to celebrate moms and daughters."

The ladies set to work organizing the tea, with help from other enthusiastic mothers. More than 300 people attend each year.

"It was amazing," Rabin said. "We had a huge response."