Snow doesn't stop Pop Hop

Daughters, fathers take on weather for night fun

Marisa Headley

 

Marian dads learned the Macarena and -- though challenging for some -- the Electric Slide.  Marian girls learned the Mashed Potato and shared a few hours of bonding time with their fathers.

 

Despite snowy weather, Marian's annual Pop-Hop was well attended on the night of Jan. 25.  "The weather actually helped the turn out because there was no school the next day and the dads drove.  Everyone was still ready to have fun," said Mrs. Diane Millea, who planned the event. 

 

However, "it was a pain going home because everyone was sliding in the parking lot," said senior Lindsay Boler. 

 

Pop-Hop was originally scheduled for Feb. 1 but was moved to Jan. 25 because of the Super-Bowl.

 

The event included optional father-daughter pictures, pizza, a raffle and dancing.

 

A total of 70 pizzas were ordered to feed about 370 dads each with at least one daughter. 

 

"My favorite part was the raffle," said freshman Gavral Woltemath.  The raffle included many items with everything from a ticket for a dumpster for spring-cleaning to hair products.  "I won a soccer t-shirt from the raffle but we really wanted the big trash bin," said sophomore Siera Cerny.  Money from the raffle went toward Pop-Hop costs and Marian High School.

 

After pizza, the dancing began.  "I really liked watching my dad do the cha-cha slide," said sophomore Jennifer Hatcher.  DJ, Danny Alaino, has been DJ at previous Pop-Hops and this year donated his services. 

 

Pop-Hop can also be a sentimental time for seniors, "My dad mentioned to me that this could be the last time he danced with me until my wedding," said senior Katie Mehal. 

 

The first Pop-Hop was held in 1976 and was sponsored by Marian Awareness.  The entertainment in 1977, quite different from today's DJs and hip-hop, was accordion player Ray Dusatko. 

 

Regardless of the cold, snowy weather, Marian girls and their fathers enjoyed their time eating and dancing at this year's Pop-Hop.

 

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