This past Saturday, the California Elementary School gym was transformed into a Valentine's Day wonderland for the "Me and My Special Someone" dance.
California's PTO hosted the event, which allowed students to bring whomever they believe to be their special someone as a guest, whether that be a mom, dad, aunt, uncle or grandparent.
"Originally, when it first started, we started out in the cafeteria upstairs and then it just kept growing, and now we do it here (in the gym) - even now you can see that we're (overflowing)," PTO president Ronessa Gunnerson said.
The hallways were full of low cost sponsored events from the community for the children and their families to enjoy, including two photo stations, one of which was a "Beauty and the Beast" theme where portraits were taken by Shawnna Willis Photography, the other with a Valentine's Day theme. There were also raffle tickets available for attendees to win prizes, candygrams or spirit wear; concession stands offering popular snacks like pizza, popcorn and candy; and tables full of red and pink trinkets for the children to take home as a souvenir.
The dance floor was full of colorful lights, fun music and, of course, students dancing with their friends and families.
It was $5 per family to attend, with all proceeds going back to the school. In the past, California's PTO has used the money its raised at events such as this to purchase new playground equipment, items for indoor recess activities and technology for classrooms, among other things; really, anything the school may need.