Graduation Dance Theme to Be Revealed Wednesday Night

8th grade students from Knollwood school are in for a surprise on Wednesday when their graduation dance will be revealed.

The 8th grade graduation dance has been a long time tradition for Knollwood School. The theme of the dance is kept a secret from the students until graduation night. Traditionally, after their graduation at Rumson-Fair Haven High School, the students get bused back to Knollwood and run down third street to Sickles school to find their surprise dance.

"It really is an incredible thing to watch," said Molly Taft, chair of the dance committee. "They run, dressed up and all, down third street and find out the theme of their dance that they have so patiently been waiting for."

The 8th grade (soon to be 9th grade) students have been waiting all year to find out the theme of their dance. The element of surprise makes it more worth-while for the students. They have held multiple fundraisers to raise money for the dance. One of the fundraisers was a which was held back in January. That dinner raised about $2,500 for their graduation dance.

Another fundraiser was called the Four School 8th Grade Dance. Knollwood hosted a dance that brought together Knollwood, Forrestdale, Rumson Country Day School and Holy Cross. "The idea behind this dance was to get the students together," Taft said. "The 8th grade students from each of these schools will be joining each other next year at the High School, so it's a fun idea to bring them together."

The mothers on the planning committee have been working since this past fall to make the graduation dance possible. "We have been working since November to plan this dance," Taft said. "This would not have been possible without the help of many talented and caring parents."

Some parents donated props and home-made decorations for the dance. Without giving away the theme of the dance, lets just say the decorations are funny, creative and personal. Mothers on the planning committee have been decorating the Sickles School gym since last Friday night, and they will keep going until Wedneday afternoon.

"This truely has been a joint effort from all the parents," said Denise Suametta, member of the planning committee. "Without all the parent donations and support, this dance would not have been possible."