Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Over 200 University of Wisconsin-Platteville students and community members celebrated Halloween at the first ever Masquerade Ball. The event was held in Velzy Commons in Ullsvik Hall on the UWP campus on Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight. The UWP Swing Club and Safe Actions for Everyone Grant County Coalition sponsored the event.

"It was bigger than what we were expecting. It went great. To see that many people show up was really wonderful. It was a safe and healthy alternative to other Halloween activities," said Mandy Stephens, assistant advisor to UWP Swing Club.

Participants danced to the sounds of big band, salsa and waltz played by the UWP Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Big Band. Dance lessons in swing, merengue and foxtrot were given by Katherine Zaimes and John Patokos, owners of Steve's Pizza in Platteville. The two have been supporting UWP Swing Club by allowing them to dance on Wednesday nights at Captain's Cove. While the event was free for students and only $5 for community members, a mask was required. Participants either brought their own or bought one that was decorated by children at the UWP Children's Center for $1.

"I thought the dance lessons were a lot of fun. I really enjoyed how they started out at a beginning level and worked up to more difficult moves," said Becca Milligan, a senior in physical education with a minor in health promotions.

In addition to dance lessons, participants could compete in the best mask or best costume competitions for prizes. The top prize was free blizzards for a year from Dairy Queen. Those that didn't participate in the contests could also win door prizes. Steve's Pizza, Asian Café, Country Kitchen, Los Amigos, VFW, Chicago's Best, Ace Hardware and Bridal Boutique donated prizes.

The idea for the Masquerade Ball came from UWP Swing Club members who wanted a way to incorporate dance lessons into a social setting. Members of the group then met Kathy Marty, S.A.F.E. Grant County Coalition co-chair, at UWP Campus Programming and Relations' Oh Snap Alcohol Abuse Awareness event. The two groups came together and after a year of planning and organizing, the ball finally became a reality. After such a successful first event, the club is making the Masquerade Ball an annual event.

Swing Club is open to the UWP community to dancers of all experience levels. Dance lessons are provided. They meet every Tuesday from 8 to 10 p.m. in Room 117 in Russell Hall.

Anyone wanting more information about the Masquerade Ball or Swing Club may contact Stephens at stephena@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Mandy Stephens, assistant advisor, UWP Swing Club, stephena@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu