CLMS 8th graders enjoy ‘Evening on the Titanic’

There was no fear of sinking as graduating 8th graders at Canyon Lake Middle boarded the RMS Titanic during their 8th grade dance on May 27 in the school’s multi-purpose room. They found the room transformed into the ship’s grand ballroom, with a projection of the grand staircase on stage, creating an upper class and steerage, along with sets that included a special entrance, a wooden gangplank and the nose of the Titanic for photo ops.

According to 2015/2016 Dance Chair Wendy Signorio, the CLMS Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) organized the event as a farewell to the outgoing class. She thanks her committee for their “diligence and creative ideas.”

Wendy says there are many other volunteers to thank for the success of the event, beginning with Lowe’s for their donations, and the talents of Dave Martilla and Ken Signorio (both with outgoing 8th graders) for the nose of the Titanic and the gangplank. “They were brilliant,” she says.

The PTSA ladies turned grocery bags into satchels for the girls to place their shoes and phones upon arrival.

Kevin Gaylor of Musical Phunktions had two deejays there and the dance floor was never empty. Mike Norkin of Cherished Memories provided the unlimited photo booth, and Sarah Dowler of Dowler Event Décor provided two wine barrels and two streetlights.

To the three members of the Canyon Lake Car Club who brought their classic cars, Wendy says, “Rick, Dallas and Anthony, your cars sitting at our entrance as the children arrived took their breath away.”

The PTSA sends a shout out to Principal Preston Perez, Assistant Principal Erin Hill, Drama Teacher Robbin Bouslog and other staff at CLMS for their support with the dance. Organizers also thank the families of CLMS 8th graders for their help and donations.

“The evening ended with the song from Journey, ‘Can’t stop believing,’ and I’m not sure if the kids were crying more or the moms,” says Wendy. “The last 15 minutes has always been my favorite. I have been doing dances for six years at this middle school. This one was my last, and I too will miss the many memories and friends I have made.”

She adds, “To the Class of 2020, never stop believing in yourselves and always shoot for the stars!”