Dads, daughters at Golden Oak dance

Golden Oak PTO held their annual Father/Daughter Dance on Friday night at the Golden Oak cafeteria. This is the 10th year for the event.

The school cafeteria was decorated and looked like a formal dance ball room, with balloons and streamers, splashed with colorful centerpieces on the tables.

At the dance, the fathers came dressed in their Sunday best, along with their daughters, who were dressed in dresses, some with tiaras, ready to enjoy a special time. Principal Anamarie Mendez was the DJ for the evening and started off the dance with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." This got the girls up and dancing, swatting the decorative balloons in the air, giving a rousing start to the night.

There was plenty of refreshments at the event for the fathers and daughters, who were were treated to a variety of food, snacks and drinks.

A photo booth was set up, letting all of the fathers and daughters get their picture taken together. To add to the moment, the couples could use a number of props, including giant glasses, bow ties and little signs. The girls and their dads went for different poses, from goofy disguises and faces, to touching "forever moment" poses.

Carlos Quezada was there with his daughter Ayleen and had fun posing for the camera. "This is a really great time," Quezada said.

After a few warmup dances, the girls were put through the paces when Mendez put on the "Chicken Dance." The fathers laughed and watched the girls move to the song that has become a dance standard.

Jessica Carrillo Pompa, one of the organizers of the event, said: "This is such a great time for the fathers and daughters to have some special time together. They can dance, eat, talk and have some quality time that they will remember for a long time."

The PTO holds several events and fundraisers each year, raising funds for the students' field trips, as well as books and supplies. They also hold a book fair every year and the Fall Carnival.