Hollywood-style dance is for friends to meet

Stepping onto the red carpet, Stacey Shroyer looked her best after having her hair and nails done at Buckeye Career Center the day of the Hollywood Premiere dance. “They did her hair, nails and makeup. She thought that was the greatest thing,” said her mother, Brenda Shroyer.

Stacey Shroyer wanted to step things up a bit for the Hollywood Premiere. After she had attended another formal dance out of the county earlier in the year in which she wore pink nail polish, she added purple nail polish on every other finger.

“She never got to do things like this,” Brenda Shroyer said, adding that Stacey sometimes uses a wheelchair. “I let her go without it as much as I can.” She encourages Stacy to participate as a member of the pep squad for Special Olympics and in bowling.

The Hollywood Premiere dance was planned after it was learned a Tim Tebow Night to Shine dance was not going to happen locally this year. Though formal wear was not required, most did.

“I like getting all dressed up,” said Aimee Pasquinelli of Wainwright, who wore a formal dress made by her mother.

After once being advised to never wear heels to a dance, Pasquinelli also decorated a pair of sneakers with material from her jewelry shop and gold lace. “I like it, all of it,” she said, also complimenting volunteers. “I liked the parking; it was well set up.”

The nearest parking spaces were reserved for individuals attending the dance while volunteer parking was farther away.

Disc jockey Steve Kelly kept the party lively with a mix of popular songs, both slow and fast, even taking requests from the attendees.

“It’s a great dance. I love proms,” Jeff Edwards of Uhrichsville said. “I’m not a very good dancer, but I try. The main thing is to have fun.”

With the Hollywood Premiere dance limited to participants from Tuscarawas County age 18 and up, the dance was a place for friends to meet. This especially added to the fun for Kristina Chambers, who said she enjoyed seeing friends she hasn’t seen in a while.

“It’s very good; we really like it,” said Alec Worth, who attended with his date, Kaylee Arthurs. “I like the music, the dancing and the food. I want to do it again next year.”

Participants and volunteers had refreshments including pizza, fruit, cheese, popcorn, cookies, cupcakes and bottled water. Each individual received a carnation or boutonniere provided by Caldwell Flowers before their name was announced and they walked the red carpet. More than 150 individuals with developmental disabilities registered to attend.

“It really took a village of all the various sectors from our community to make it a wonderful and beautiful night,” said Cassie Elvin of Starlight Enterprises Inc., who was appreciative to Buckeye Career Center for providing the handicapped-accessible space for the event and the ease of working with their team to make it happen.

Buckeye Career Center’s graphics department made some of the decorations, and other students helped with decorating.

In addition to about 150 volunteers who assisted the day of the dance in various capacities from decorating to serving as a buddy, many in the community contributed including Litty’s Cakes and Cookies, desserts; Rebecca Nolan and Kat Arthurs, decorations; Kary Bradford, balloons; Holly Metzcar and Buckeye Career Center, food; Heather Foster and Andy Wing from NewPointe Community Church, supplies; Starlight Enterprises Inc., volunteers for parking; Horizons, tableware; and Jane Wortman and Tonya Thomas, registration.

Schoenbrunn Garden Center provided flowers and plants, and an anonymous donor provided pizza. Don Liedtke of Mobile Jams Entertainment set up a photo station and provided printed photos to the partygoers. Photographer Cassie Burdette also was on hand to take photos of the grand entrance and other things.

Safety was a top concern. Smith Ambulance provided emergency services, and Chief Mike Goodwin and Joe Reiger provided safety services. The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities provided background checks for the volunteers.

Sponsors included Challenger Baseball, Off the Wall Music, Mrs. Clark, Smith-Lebold Funeral Home in Bolivar, Smith Funeral Home in Sugarcreek and Starlight Enterprises Inc.