April 21, 2004

GTA class takes first steps

Class of 2007 holds school semi-formal dance at GT Resort

By
Herald staff writer

Every step the class of 2007 takes at Grand Traverse Academy is a first - including their first on the dance floor.
The 16 students that make up the freshman class - the first high school class at the charter school that opened in 2000 - danced the night away Friday at their first semi-formal dance held at the Grand Traverse Resort.
"We've been looking forward to this for a long time," said Emily French as she got ready for the evening. French along with the other girls in her class, primped at the school Friday afternoon while the boys were off at the resort decorating for "A Night in the Orient."
Family members of the students were on hand to help the girls with their hair and make-up and to take photographs before the girls headed off on a trolley ride to the resort for their big night.
"They've been working on this for most of the year," said Allyson Apsey, character education coordinator and assistant principal. "They made all the decorations and even had an etiquette class to learn proper table manners and chivalry, like opening doors."
With all that they had learned, the group was well prepared for a night of fine dining and dancing.
"We had to learn how to be proper. I didn't know there were so many rules, or so many forks," Nikki Crandall said. "Learning all that stuff was fun, but the most fun has been getting ready tonight and seeing each other all dressed up."