SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The longstanding tradition of the cotillion continues! The competition of dance and etiquette, historically held by Springfield Hospital, is now under the direction of Joey Claflin, who runs her own in-home child care center, Happy Feet, and co-owns JC’s Market and Deli with her husband, John. Claflin reported that she appreciates help from her husband, behind the scenes assistance from Tammy Stagner, and continued support from photographer Marie Laplante.
When Claflin learned that the hospital was discontinuing the Apple Blossom Cotillion, she didn’t miss a beat in picking up where they left off. “I wanted to keep it going,” she said happily. She volunteered for the event for four years, when her kids were young and participating as little contestants. Now, she has high school seniors working in her store, and a daughter who is a senior, and didn’t want to see the tradition go.
Claflin admitted there is a lot of commitment to the event, but, though her and her husband are both working two full-time jobs, she is excited to continue.
Playfully called “The Last Dance…Senior Style,” Claflin says the event is the seniors’ last hurrah before graduation, a new Springfield tradition. The theme is “The Mix Up,” incorporating multiple genres of music. Though Claflin likes a good theme, she couldn’t settle on just one, so there’s a little R&B, hip-hop, contemporary, and country. There will be some line dancing, and there’s some comedy to it, Claflin added. There is sure to be a performance to please everyone in the audience.
The Last Dance will be held customarily on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at Riverside Middle School, at 7 p.m. both evenings. There are seven senior couples participating this year, from Claremont and Springfield, and 11 little contestant couples. On Friday, they will name a Miss Congeniality and Mister Congeniality, and Most Improved. On Saturday, a queen and her court will be announced.
The proceeds from ticket sales will go directly back to some of those competing. The queen and two members of her court will be awarded scholarships to use for higher education as they choose, such as college, trade school, or textbooks. Other funds will benefit the All-4-One after-school and summer program, in which many of the contestants are enrolled.
Claflin said some of the leftover proceeds could even be used to help cut costs, and put back into the event next year for decorations and props, confirming, “1,000%,” she plans to continue the beloved tradition.
Tickets are discounted for seniors and students, and can be prepurchased at www.clover.com/pay-widgets/ee0d7682-91a4-4863-9fdb-ca99e688d549 for students or www.clover.com/pay-widgets/d8df5ad4-f524-4ae2-b9c8-fd33add91bf0 for all others, or by using the QR codes included. You can also purchase tickets at the door for the May 1 and 2 shows.