A Winter’s Dance, A New Beginning
Written By: Kristen Bowlin
Some nights sparkle—not because of glittering lights or shimmering decorations, but because of the unseen, electric energy of something new taking root. On a chilled winter’s night, this January, inside a transformed City of Fountains Fellowship Hall, something rare and beautiful happened: two schools, two communities, and dozens of eager, nervous, excited middle schoolers came together—not just to dance, but to forge a connection that stretched beyond the evening itself.
This was more than just a school dance. It was a vision long in the making; a vision realized!
It started as all great things do: with an idea, a gathering of hearts and hands willing to make it happen. Parents, teachers, and students alike poured their creativity, effort, and enthusiasm into crafting a Winter Wonderland. Handmade snowflakes dangled from the ceiling, balloons hugged the floor and walls, and tables were draped in soft silks of blues and whites, mirroring the hues of the season.
At the entrance, a soft glow radiated from the expertly placed ambient lighting, a gift from Danielle Payne and her creative vision, painting the hallway in delicate pastels. It was not the blinding dazzle of a disco, but the gentle invitation of a space made special, a place where something meaningful was about to unfold.
Parents stepped up to contribute what they could—snacks, decorations, ideas, support—creating a shared effort that extended the warmth of one community into another. And, of course, the students had their own say. The Photo Booth, one of the highlights of the night, was their brainchild—an effortlessly cool space bathed in lights, where snapshots of laughter and new friendships were captured like fireflies in a jar.
When Prairie Moon students arrived, their City of Fountains hosts nervously, eagerly, excitedly took them under their wing. They introduced them to the space, pointing out where to set coats, where to find snacks, where the magic of the night would take place. There was chittering and chattering, that particular mix of giddy anticipation and awkward shuffling that only middle schoolers can perfect.
And then the music began! Dancing for Peace, Dancing for Connection! Before the night turned into a whirlwind of spinning records and high-energy dance moves, the students were invited into something different - something ancient, intentional, and full of meaning.
Under the gentle yet commanding presence of Malika Lyon, accompanied by live musicians Clark Jamison and Joel Kraft, the students were guided through Dances of Universal Peace. These were not just movements; they were practices of presence, of unity - of stepping beyond oneself into something shared.
Some of the dances were slow, reverent, woven from the traditions of cultures around the world. Others were lively and joyous, spinning students into new partnerships, challenging them to hold hands, to look each other in the eyes—to truly see one another.
At first, the hesitation was tangible. Hands hung loosely, eye contact flickered, feet shifted with uncertainty. But then, slowly, something changed. The music carried them past their discomfort, past their self-awareness, and into the dance, and ultimately into unity itself.
By the time the final circle closed, when the last note of live music faded into the warm hum of the room, the students had not only moved together—they had woven themselves into the fabric of something larger, something real. They thanked Malika and the musicians with sincerity, many offering hugs, an act that just an hour before might have felt impossibly out of reach.
And then the DJs took over. When the Beat Dropped, So Did Their Inhibitions! With a flick of a switch and the spin of a record, Brandon Draper and Nora Payne turned the room into a pulse of pure energy. Bass thumped, lights flashed, and suddenly, the floor was alive.
The playlist, curated by the DJs with input from the students, was a chaotic, brilliant mix of old-school classics and new hits—a time machine that spun from the ‘70s to today without missing a beat. Some students never left the dance floor, their movements an extension of the music itself. Others drifted between activities, challenging each other to dance-offs, joining forces to create one big Conga line that snaked across the room, growing longer with every turn. They took breaks to fill their plates with allergen-free treats and festive aqua blue punch and ducked into the Photo Booth for a round of goofy pictures.
And then, of course, there were the showstoppers! One girl boldly launched into the worm, her daring move met with cheers and encouragement! A group of students started a spontaneous dance circle, stepping into the center one by one to show off their best (and sometimes boldest) moves. At one point, they even slipped into a movement game familiar to their Waldorf classrooms, seamlessly merging the structured play of their school days with the untamed joy of the night.
This was not just dancing for fun—this was dancing for the pure, unfiltered joy of existing in that moment, in that place, together.
No one wanted it to end! But then came the inevitable moment…the final song. The students weren’t ready! Not yet. Not now. “Just one more!” became “Just two more!” and then three. The night stretched a little longer, parents graciously allowing them a few extra minutes to hold onto what they had built that evening—something new, something important.
And so, a tradition begins! This was more than just a dance. It was the first middle school dance in the history of City of Fountains School! (And perhaps for Prairie Moon as well!) It was the beginning of a tradition, the start of a bridge between two schools that share a vision, a philosophy, a belief that education is not just about learning—it’s about living, living with connection, intention, and joy.
For those who want to continue building on this connection or learn more about future gatherings—including the upcoming Spring Middle School event at Prairie Moon—please reach out to Ms. Kristen Bowlin at City of Fountains School.
