Gay-Straight Alliance hosts end-of-semester dance for area college goers
By Kaitlyn Murray
photo by Riley Hays
Freshmen Zoua Her, Katherine Salsieder, Kimberly Guzman Nelson Warren and
Carleigh Werlein do some serious dancing to "S&M" by Rihanna at the Jingle Ball Dec. 7.
photo by Riley Hays
Freshmen Josua Mendoza and Karissa Durham take a
break from the dance floor to catch up at the
GSA-sponsored Jingle Ball Dec. 7.
Students gathered for the second annual Jingle Ball in Lucia Baehman Theatre Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Put together by UW-Fox's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), the dance was open to all UW-Fox students and those from other schools, like Fox Valley Technical College, UW-Green Bay, UW-Manitowoc, UW-Oshkosh and Lakeland College.
Resident Alicia Green was invited by a couple UW-Fox students to jingle all the way.
"I thought it was really fun. Even though I don't go here, I think the people here are really cool," Greene said.
There were tables and couches for people to sit at and relax, a club lighting system, and a raised dance platform for those who wanted to party. A live disc jockey from DJ John's Mobile Entertainment provided the tunes and refreshments were offered by the campus.
There was even an opportunity for students to get a picture with Santa, played by mathematics lecturer Richard Oakland.
"I got to sit on Santa's lap and get a picture with him while my girlfriend watched and Beyonce played in the background. That wouldn't have happened at a dance in my high school," a student at the dance said.
The Jingle Ball was designed for students to just let loose, have fun and hang out with friends in a tolerant and accepting atmosphere.
"This dance made me feel comfortable about dancing with my partner in public," one UW-Fox student said.
"There were no mean, judging stares from other students. I really felt like I was surrounded by friends."
"The dance is giving the students a voice, a face and a chance to be themselves," associate professor of health and GSA advisor Pam Massey, said.
The Gay Straight Alliance is a club for students on campus to show support for each other in an open environment. The GSA raises awareness about issues of diversity and sexual orientation through organizing campus and events like the Jingle Ball.
"[The dance was held to] make more students aware that there is a GSA on campus and to be able to find the same support that they could have found in a GSA or similar program from high school," Massey said.
Students can check out pictures and stories from the night by following UW-Fox Valley GSA on Facebook.