During father-daughter yearly events, Xavier’s fathers and daughters have been spending some of their last moments of high school together before the Gators go to college.
Transitioning from the previous years of the father-daughter dance held at Xavier for over 35 years, sophomore student council members and Dads’ Club officials decided to switch things up.
In previous years of the father-daughter dance, the event was held inside Xavier and was a more formal affair. This year was a more relaxed event including an outside setting, freer dress code and casual fun. Instead of a formal night of dancing, there were activities such as break-a-plate, balloon pop, ring toss, fish bowl, down-a-clown and wax hands.
Weeks before this year’s event, Kennedy Frakes ‘26, member of sophomore student council activities, said, “This fun-filled event will have specially chosen activities, like carnival games. It will be a night to remember.”
Special music from the Phoenix Suns DJ excited the Xavier community. Over 500 tickets were sold for fathers, daughters and friends to a night of fun and creating cherished memories.
Fellow student council officers including secretary Sophia Villanueva and senator Brooke Gillespie explained that this was an exciting night and that they were happy to be a part of its success.
Hazel Vynalek 26’ and her father enjoyed the event together before going out for ice cream. Vynalek exclaimed, “It was a good father-daughter bonding experience and I can’t wait for the carnival next year!”
Stacy Seger, one of the student council moderators, explained that Xavier dads, co-chairs and sophomore student council members meet at the beginning of the school year to approve and finalize ideas for this event.
Through months of preparation and event planning this night was a great success for the Xavier community. Work from Dads’ Club members, the sophomore student council and the co-chairs all contributed and helped with this event. Alongside the Father Daughter Festival, Xavier’s dads and daughters also enjoy a yearly bowling event, typically held in the middle of November.
Making the most of their daughters’ high school experiences and getting involved in the community is a major part of the Xavier Dads’ Club.
The festival may have started an exciting change in father-daughter themed events.
