The Paw Print

by Emily, editorial editor

You know the typical dance routine. Mom drops you off, you meet your friends for laughs, joke around before you grab snacks and hang out near the gym hallway, gossip and then you enter the dimly lit gym with strobe lights moving every which direction. You begin to dance the night away as the DJ plays your favorite tunes. You enjoy yourself and make a dozen or so trips to the concession stand.

The latest hip-hop and rap music is blaring, chosen and clean cut, from our favorite DJ and there is always some major teen drama behind the scenes.

But do you ever think about who gets the dance stage ready with decorations, who brings in the concession candy and drinks, how the tables get arranged and who prices out the concessions list?

That’s where we, the Advanced Theatre and seventh grade classes, come in. The Theatre Troupe takes a huge role in preparing for three out of five dances. Being in Advanced Theatre and a top leader in the Theatre Arts class, “working the counter” and setting up for the dance are considered a top priority in my book. “Working the counter” isn’t exactly a bad way to rally up some NJHS hours either.

Behind the concession stand is an interesting way to help out my advanced class.

I feel like I owe it to my teacher Mrs. Baker. She puts her faith in me by entrusting me with keys that unlock most doors in the school. Before the dance we retrieve the coolers and set them up.

It’s my duty to solicit volunteers with jobs so they can assist me in setting up. More than once I have trusted the wrong person and had to personally fix the issue at hand; all part of the job. The work isn’t easy, but I prefer the challenge and staying busy.

Overseeing the decorations and food preparations also makes my job a difficult one. If a small detail is missed or not finished; it’s up to me to make it right. Prior to the dance I write down the types of food, candy and soda that we sell. On an ordinary night, we sell soda products such as Coke, Sprite and Dr. Pepper. Candy includes Skittles, Fruit Punch Straws, and various chocolates. Pizza is a main contribution to our concession stand. The price list varies from 50 cents to 1.50 for pizza.

Working the stand itself is more than enough work for anyone. I compare it to a fast food restaurant at rush hour. The first few minutes are slow and then, boom, it picks up and we are rushing about trying to fill orders and count out exact change quickly. If we have enough volunteers we take shifts so no one gets too tired, and we can work through the night without problems. We even get a break so we can dance too.

Overall I relish the chance I have to prove I can do well under pressure and be responsible with a job. I hope Mrs. Baker will continue to trust me and ask for my help when the next dance rolls around. She needs a strong leader to assist her “behind the counter.”