Riverside High School hosts Community Valentine's Day Dance

John Butler, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Feb. 14—For the first time since 2020 when the pandemic hit, Riverside High School was able to host its annual Community Valentine's Day Dance.

"This a community-wide Valentine's Day dance for staff and students from schools all over Northeast Ohio," said Riverside Director of Marketing and Communications Nick Carrabine on Feb. 14.

"This is an opportunity for students to socialize, dance, sing, play games and enjoy lunch."

Riverside High School teacher Kari Basista helped organize the event. She was joined by fellow Riverside High staff members and students in Riverside High Schools' Student Initiative for Developing Excellence Leadership or SIDE class.

"It's a really amazing event because we have almost 300 guests today from over 22 different classrooms all over Lake County," Basista said. "We've had a bunch of student helpers and donors from all over that we wouldn't be able to put this dance on without them."

The event drew people from 22 classes from Chardon, Euclid, Madison, Mentor, Painesville, Perry and Riverside high schools.

Guests were met by applauding greeters as they entered. Riverside students Bella Borris, Chloe Tomaszewski and others handed out goody bags with assorted treats and trinkets to attendees as they entered the auditorium to dance to DJ Jeremy Verdi before enjoying lunch.

Carrabine said that the event would not be possible without aid from many sponsors who donated their time and resources to provide food and entertainment.

They included Executive Events & Entertainment, Jeremy Verdi, Subway, Longos, B2's, RedHawk Grille, Fire & Ice, G-licious Pizza, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Riverside Teachers, Beaver Nation Spirit Store, Dave and Mary Ann Engelking, Mrs. Schnug's Class and CSJ Greetings Yard Signs!

In addition to the dancing, it featured a variety of other things such as games, craft stations, a photo booth by Executive Events Entertainment and more.

The district said it is thankful for this opportunity to build connection with various students from the area and that the district hopes to have more events like this in the future.

(Editor's note: Incorrect information was removed from this story).