When Chemistry teacher Laura McCracken took over the Community Action Program (CAP) at Penn-Trafford earlier this year, she had a lot of decisions to make on how to run it. One was if they wanted to bring back the Snowball.

     The Snowball was a new winter formal last year that acted as filler between Homecoming and Prom. It was a Sadie Hawkins style (girls asking guys) that was open to all grades, and it was held in the high school gym with prom-style attire encouraged. 

     CAP considered last year’s test run of the event to be a success, so McCracken and the CAP officers decided to bring it back for a second year.

     With one big change.

     This year the dance will be held at Live Casino on Jan. 24 from 6-10 p.m. 

     The dance will not actually be held inside the casino, so any students who were planning on gambling, sorry, it will not be happening. It will instead be held in a conference-style room that is connected to an outside parking garage, so students can get direct access to the dance without trekking through the actual gambling rooms.

     “I completely get it from a parent’s perspective, just wondering how the kids will go in, but I will send out an information sheet just explaining the parking,” McCracken stated. “No student will be entering through the main entrance, nor will they enter any other part of the casino.”

     CAP opted for this change in venue for a number of reasons, with the biggest being student feedback. A survey was sent out in early October asking for students’ suggestions, and the most common was a change in the venue.

     “A lot of students responded, and a high percentage of them wanted it not to be at the school,” McCracken stated. “I wanted to pick somewhere different than where Prom was held just to keep it a little bit different.”

     Live Casino seemed like the perfect fit, especially due to a fundraiser they hold later this year that helps to pay for outside events, such as the Snowball, that are held at their facilities. This means CAP did not have to bear the entire cost of renting it out.

     Holding it at the casino also allows students to be fed, giving the dance a more formal feel. The menu will be Italian with some Pittsburgh infusions, such as pierogis, and desserts will also be offered.

     The tickets are open to all grades and cost $60 per person or $120 for a couple. They will be sold during all lunches from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23. If a student does not have a lunch, they can see McCracken in room 227 to purchase their ticket.

     Any profit from the dance will go back to CAP to help fuel their year-round community service projects, such as different food and toy drives that greatly benefit those in the area.

     The idea for the Snowball came to fruition last year by then sophomore Skylar Matz, who after seeing Norwin’s Snowball, thought P-T should have the same dance for students to attend.

     After getting the dance approved by the administration, Matz worked with CAP to make the dance actually happen. 

     Same as last year, Matz has been working alongside CAP officers, doing behind-the-scenes work to make the dance run smoothly. Her and chairman for the dance and senior Leah Vislocky have been hard at work designing the tickets and decorating the actual venue.

     “It is really important to take a moment away from school and enjoy the new year with all our peers,” Vislocky stated about the importance of the Snowball. “I feel as though it will be an awesome way to celebrate coming into the new year.”

By Mia Williams, Editor in Chief