Connors' New Zealand Adventure: The Ball

The ball, similar to the prom, was held the last day of Term 2 just before the 2 week winter break and the last day of school for Lea and a few other exchange students. With a Roaring 20's theme, the school hall was decorated, the teachers were dressed up, some in period attire, and the students were the stars.

Without places to shop for a gown in Hokitika, girls mail ordered dresses or traveled to Christchurch, earlier in the year, to shop for a dress. Hair appointments were booked months ahead of time. Lea didn't make a hair or makeup appointment but got together with friends two weeks before the ball to have a test run on hair and makeup.

Best of all, the kids figured out who their date would be months ago. A nice young man in Lea's physics class, Logan, asked her to join him. At school, they were taught ballroom dances so that they would be able to dance at the ball. How incredible is that? Goodbye grinding, hello salsa, fox trot and swing!

The ball was the talk of the town. The community was invited to come see the inside set up at 7 before the students arrived at 8. Lea and friends gathered at a friend's house before the ball for snacks, drinks and photos (with a professional photographer). Each couple arranged for a special car to drive them to the ball. Shiny BMWs or other nice cars and LOTS of restored classics, from the 1930s to more recent. The kids must have had connections all over New Zealand to borrow these cars. One car would drive up to the school entrance at a time, the couple would get out (each car had a separate driver), they would walk up a walkway lined with friends and family or interested community members, everyone would clap, the couple would parade up, get their photo taken at the door and then another car would drive up. Kind of like the Academy Awards. The music teacher was outside playing jazz in a stripped suit.

Another event whole-heartedly supported by the community.

Lea and Logan - pre party party photos.

I didn't expect a photo op for us to be in a photo! (Felt like wedding photos).

The walkway up to the school entrance

Music provided by the music teacher (sax player) outside the entrance - a hired band played for the dance.

Lea's friends Laura and Zach, arriving in style, notice the miniature horse and carriage in the background.

Lea and Nina in an old Land Rover - no photos of their dates? They had two couples in their car.

Lea and Logan going up the walkway. She had HIGH heels on, I texted her ahead of time to walk slow so that she wouldn't fall in front of everyone. I had noticed before she arrived that some of the kids seemed as if they would have preferred to run up the aisle. The boys must have been taught to keep their left arm behind their back. Well done!