Ping pong in the lobby. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, dancing non-stop for four hours. Members of the girls’ JV basketball team, the boys’ JV and varsity basketball teams, rushing in to the dance after their evening games. Ski clubbers stowing their gear quickly by the doors, so they can get into the dance, even though there’s only an hour left. All of them, entering  their name in a drawing to win an iPod Touch. All this happened tonight at Galway High School, where the first EMC3 dance took place.

EMC3 members learned first hand exactly what it takes to plan a successful event, since they planned out every part, from pre-sale tickets, to creative commercials, to purchasing plenty of drinks, to hiring a great DJ. This dance was unique to the high school since students were encouraged to dress casually or dress up, an extra hour of time was added so the

dance concluded at 11, and for the first time ever, a drawing was held for a great prize…an iPod Touch.

Students had three chances to enter their names to win. If they purchased a pre-sale ticket for $5 the week before the dance from the E-Way Store, they were automatically entered for two chances to win. By completing a EMC3 web search and handing it in at the store, students gain a third entry.

The drawing was held right at the end of the dance, and excitement ran very high. Mr. Swain shook up the box of entries and called for an impartial person to draw the winning name.  Tenth grade history teacher and chaperone, Mr. Snow, drew the lucky winner, junior Levi Amell.

“It was the lucky shoes,” Amell smiled as he pointed at his Nikes. “I bought my ticket early

, so I got two chances to win.” When asked what he would download first, Amell didn’t hesitate. “iTunes. I don’t have that yet.” There’s so much great music, how could he narrow it down? “The Beatles, because they’re British, like Mr. Swain.”

Members from all parts of EMC3 were involved in the planning of the dance. Ali Hunter, a senior business intern, talked about how she thought the night turned out.

“I think it was successful for our first dance,” she said. “None of us have actually planned anything like this before. It was fun.”  Other EMC3 members pointed out that more people attended than they expected. “I hope this becomes an annual thing,” senior Karenna Martin said. “This first dance was important to get the EMC3 name out there and to promote the new website, and I think we accomplished that.”

“It was the best dance of my high school career, and definitely the cheapest,” agreed Megan Spagnola. “EMC3 rocks!”

Congratulations to Levi Amell, the big prize winner, and to the planning committee for a great evening for all!