Cinderella Ball a tradition at Matt Arthur

Satin, sparkly sequins, tiaras and taffeta adorned the girls while the boys wore bow ties, suits and crisp shirts with their gold crowns. At the Cinderella Ball at Matt Arthur Elementary School, all 120 first-graders were royalty.

A tradition for 18 years, the students are taught about fairy tales for two weeks leading up to the dance. Barbara Winner volunteers to teach manners and the waltz as well as eating etiquette and how to properly go through a procession.

“They are so excited,” Winner said. She has been volunteering for years and has teenagers come up to her and tell her they remember the Cinderella Ball from their time at the school.

Prince Charming was played by Matt Arthur, former Superintendent for Houston County schools. Students had their picture taken with Arthur during the one-hour event Friday.

After the students walked through the hall with their schoolmates, teachers and parents cheering, the students entered the ballroom, formerly the cafeteria, on the red carpet under an arch of purple tulle.

For the parents, it was a memory to cherish when the children asked their parents to dance the final waltz.

“It’s been awesome,” said Capt. Zachary Wright in the 12th ACCS of the 461st Air Control Wing.

He said his daughter Emma Wright was talking nonstop all week about the dance. She even got to buy a new royal blue dress for the event.

Tech Sgt. Branden McMorris, an aero-repair technician at the 116th MXS, attended the dance two years ago with his older daughter Kyleah, now 10.

“It’s nice to see them grow up to be more social,” McMorris said.

Friday he was there to support his middle child, Kambrie, age 6, sporting her long brown curls and long sea green-colored dress.

McMorris was already planning his son’s outfit, complete with fedora and a bow tie. Though he will have a little while before Keaton, who turns 2 years old in July, attends his Cinderella Ball.

Administrators and teachers also dressed the part. Principal Richard Rogers played the part of the knight. Administrator VaRee Harrell and Vice Principal Kelly Rush were dressed as the fairy godmothers.

“My favorite part was when we got to dance with our parents,” said 7-year-old Linda Gorman, who danced with both her mother and father.

Classmate Aly Corzine, age 6, liked dancing with her young friend.

When asked about fairy tales, Aly was matter-of-fact. “That’s what the Cinderella Ball is all about,” she said.

This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cinderella Ball a tradition at Matt Arthur."