Special school set to celebrate debutantes

Horsham Special School community will celebrate its inaugural debutante ball at Horsham Town Hall tomorrow.

Ten couples, including present and past students, have been busy practising their dance steps under the tutelage of Jan Morris, with Don Papst orchestrating music.

The debutantes will be presented in what will be a showpiece spectacular for the school’s students, staff, families and the Wimmera community.

Horsham mayor Pam Clarke and Federation University associate professor and Wimmera campus head Geoffrey Lord will be guests of honour at the presentation.

Debutantes will present to Mr Lord and Cr Clarke, along with school principal Matt Copping and assistant principal Rebecca Talbot.

Mr Copping said the lead-up to the event had been full of excitement, hard work and pride for all of the students involved. “Dance lessons over the past month have provided the opportunity for students to hone their skills and abilities in a brand new way, while having a lot of fun at the same time,” he said.

“The formal significance of the debut is of great importance also, as each student becomes a young adult in the Horsham and wider Wimmera community.”

On the night, the formal presentation will occur in the town hall’s main theatre. This will be followed by supper and dancing in the centre’s traditional flat-floor hall.

Horsham Special School has invited the Wimmera community to the event, with tickets available at Horsham Town Hall or online at the town hall website www.horshamtownhall.com.au/ hthevent/horshamspecial-school-debutante-ball/.

Admission is $20 a person, with seating from 6.30pm.