About 400 people danced their sorrows away during the Grahamstown Primary School's Debutante Ball at the City Hall on Saturday.
About 400 people danced their sorrows away during the Grahamstown Primary School's Debutante Ball at the City Hall on Saturday.
The school last held a Debutante Ball 15 years ago. The atmosphere of the ceremony was electrifying; everyone present in the hall used their feet to express their gratitude for the variety of music played by the band.
The idea of staging this glamorous event in 2010 was proposed by the then school's governing body. In the beginning of the year, 25 parents indicated that they would let their children be part of the fundraising initiative but only 18 debutants stood firm and took part on Saturday. Grahamstown Primary educators and parents raised funds throughout the year and school principal, Leon Coetzee, sent letters to various businesses in Grahamstown requesting donations.
Individual parents organised their own fundraising functions to raise money towards the ball. The school showered all participants with gifts to show its appreciation of their efforts. Ursula Kivitts, a former teacher at the school, handed over the prizes to the participants and winners. Grade 6 learner Naven Daniels raised the largest amount of money, R7 275, followed by another Grade 6 learner, Zeena Miller who raised R5 597, and Grade 5 learner, Emon Burgess who raised R5207.
The 18 participants raised an amount in excess of R52 000. “The SGB, parents and staff of Grahamstown Primary really appreciate the efforts of the debutants and their parents in making the function a huge success," explained Coetzee. “The success of the evening brought a lot of smiles onto most faces and the outcome was fantastic.”
