With high school prom season in full swing, McHenry Moose Lodge 691 hosted a very special Hollywood Red Carpet Dance on April 22 for three McHenry County high school young adult transition programs.
Coordinated by McHenry High School’s BRIDGES program, the dance is the first big combined social event for students in McHenry, Woodstock and Richmond-Burton high schools’ young adult programs. In McHenry, BRIDGES is a program for students who graduated from high school to get a little extra support in the transition to adulthood.
With students and chaperones, about 40 people enjoyed the red carpet, music, food and fun. Chaperones donated their time while food was provided at a discounted rate from Jexal’s in McHenry.
“It was great,” said Kelly Shaver, BRIDGES instructor in McHenry. “Everyone had a blast.”
Shaver credits the McHenry Moose Lodge for being willing to host the special event. Bruce Preston, junior past president of the McHenry Moose, said they are happy to host such a great event. “It was amazing and a lot of fun,” Preston said.
Several other community groups and individuals donated time, money and/or services for the free event, including Transfiguration Catholic Church in Wauconda. “This has taken a village,” Shaver said.
While this was the first big social event for the high school programs, they all do gather every once in a while for bowling, crafts or other fun activities. Shaver said teachers like to help students build connections with each other.
She hopes to see the dance become an annual event and gets bigger every year. For more information about the McHenry High School BRIDGES program, visit the BRIDGES page on the district website.