Appreciating giving and receiving

The lessons of Thanksgiving were on display at Lawrence Middle School’s annual dinner-dance on Nov. 20 to celebrate the holiday; a decade-long tradition that brings all four grades – fifth through eighth – together.
“It is really good for students to bond,” said eighth-grader Lina Mavruk, co-president of the school’s student government. While attending the middle school, she has attended the dinner-dance every year it was held. The event was cancelled in 2012 due to Hurricane Sandy. “There is something about all the positive vibes at school. All the students go to have fun together.”
In the school’s new gymnasium, the students danced to DJ-provided music. It appeared that many of them were having a ball, especially several students who “hammed” it up with inflatable guitars. The fifth- and sixth-graders danced together, and then the seventh- and eighth-graders have their dance. All the students then come together for dinner in the old gym, Kelly Dowling, a sixth-grade teacher who coordinates the event.
There was a variety of food provided by several local eateries ranging from pizza to Penne alla Vodka to more traditional Thanksgiving staples such as mashed potatoes and corn. In addition to receiving, the students also learned about giving as they have collected food that will be donated to less fortunate people.
“This is beautiful, the generosity from a lot of people,” said middle school Principal Willis Perry as he addressed the students just before they ate. “This is my favorite time of the year. “The holiday season is truly about family and appreciating each other and sharing good times.”