How it all Began

Jan. 31, 1958 was the start of a new tradition at STA sponsored and initiated by the Sodality Club for fathers and daughters alike to share a dance together in the gym, (now the Commons). The Sodality Club would frequently meet to discuss religious topics. According to Ms. Joanie Bowman, a 1958 alumna and Sodality Club member, the Sodality Club started the Father-Daughter dance because the club members thought it would be a fun activity to do.

“We had such a great group of girls, and [the Father-Daughter dance] was just something that a lot of us came together and talked about,” Bowman said.

According to the 1958 Dart article explaining the first Father-Daughter dance, the theme was “Chip off the Old Block”. While the decorations mirrored the theme, the fathers and daughters wore formal attire instead of costumes that are usually worn at today’s dance. Activities included spelling games, dancing and a snack table.

“Two of my girlfriends in high school, had fathers who had died when they were three years old so at the Father-Daughter dance they came with my father and I,” Bowman said. “He actually had three dates that night.”

The Start of a New Tradition

Although today STA students celebrate the annual Father-Daughter dance with themes and a DJ, 53 years ago they celebrated the dance in the gym (now the Commons) with waltzes and corsages. While STA always had a theme for the dance, dressing up Jan. 22, 1982 began a 30-year tradition of costumed Father-Daughter dances beginning with the “Fabulous 50’s.”‘

Fabulous 50’s

According to Ms. Theresa Egelhoff, who works in the Development/Special Events Office, the Father-Daughter dance started out in the old gym during the 60s, because the class sizes were much smaller.

Later on, the dance was moved to the Gold Buffet , which used to be a restaurant in Northern Kansas City, in the early 70s because class sizes were increasing.

Now, the dance is held at the Marriott in Downtown Kansas City, housing over 800 fathers and daughters.

“I remember eating dinner and dancing with my dad,” Ms. Elizabeth Drew, a 1981 alumna, said. “Then later all the Dad’s sat and had coffee while we danced together. I think they had had enough of us by then.”

Today, the Marriot provides the meal, but prior to the Gold Buffet most fathers and daughters went out to eat at various restaurants. According to Dr. Lynn Hanrahan, a 1972 alumna, her dad would make reservations at a restaurant, then go to the dance.

“My first Father/Daughter dance was shared with my older sister, where we went to dinner at the Top of the Tower restaurant,” Hanrahan said. “We went out, as if on a date, with our dads.”

Let the Competition Begin

The dance-off contests originally started out with all grades being allowed to participate until the judges eliminated them, but there would also be a contest for just seniors. Seniors would be split up alphabetically, just as they are today.

The dance-off would be between the last two couples where prizes were awarded. According to Hanrahan, when she went to the Father-Daughter dance, music would consist of a mix of older to current. Some popular dances included the twist, electric slide or swing.

This was not the only contest held for the first themed Father-Daughter Dance. Other contests included a bubble-blowing contest and a hula hoop contest. Drew won the first bubble blowing contest at the “Fabulous 50’s” Father-Daughter dance.

“I won the contest, and it was a lot of fun,” Drew said. “The bubble I blew was huge!”

According to the 1981 Teresian yearbook, the bubble Drew blew was actually bigger than her face.

Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane

“My favorite part was just being able to spend a special night with my dad,” Drew said. “I have five siblings and that didn’t happen often. I didn’t really think about it being a tradition just having fun with my Dad and my friends.”

Fast-forwarding to today the feeling of one-on-one time with your father/daughter are the same. According to Mr. John Miller, father of senior Casey Miller and alumna Jordan Miller, his favorite part was being able to see all STA students come out on the dance floor and dance to the Journey song, “Don’t Stop Believin'”, as well as dressing up to the different themes.

“I brought my recorder last year and I taped [“Don’t Stop Believin'”]; that was awesome,” Miller said.

According to 2010 alumna Jordan Miller, her favorite part about the Father-Daughter dance was having quality time with her father and sister.

“I loved having that time to spend with my dad, and being to hang out with my dad and sister,” Miller said. “The dance was the best part for me.”