While the glamor and excitement of high school dances may gleam in their inaccessibility for FC students, the leadership team attempted to dim the glow with a Sadie Hawkins no one would trade for a school gym dance. In order to achieve this goal, over 100 students traveled to Six Flags Magic Mountain, April 10.

The event, which spanned the entire day, featured long bus rides, long roller coaster lines, and a concert by Christian crossover band Relient k, who played as a part of the Hallelujah Jubilee Christian Music Festival.

Traditionally, Sadies provides a juxtaposition to winter formal Night of the Stars (NOTS), acting as a less formal social event, wherein the girls ask the guys of their choice. In the past, events have included arena football, neon bowling and line dancing.

This is the first year Sadies has traveled significantly outside Fresno.

“We really wanted to go to Magic Mountain for Sadies as whole; most of the people in the class were behind the decision which is rare for us,” leadership member Ryan Swain, ’10, said. “We thought that it would be a unique and memorable event, and it was. Everyone had a great time and I think that many students will look back on it as one of the highlights of the school year.”

Leadership adviser Rob Foshee also counted the unique venue as part of the event’s success.

“The goal of this event was to be different, but to be a fun event for the school to participate in together and just enjoy the day,” Foshee said. “I think we achieved this goal because it was a fun time; there were Christian concerts going on at Magic Mountain as well as being a special price for us to go in.”

Although the proposition to take so many students to the theme part raised some red flags, Foshee says his confidence paid off.

“I was pleased with the way that we were able to take 118 high school students to enjoy the day and not have to worry about problems or issues. There wasn’t really one thing to speak of that was an issue,” he said.

Activities throughout the day ranged from rides – from kiddie rides to corkscrew coasters with almost 90% drops – to concerts by Christian artists Britt Nicole, Thousand Foot Krutch and Relient k. The group ate together in a private party zone.

After a full day at the park, buses were loaded and returned to Fresno by midnight. The trip went perfectly, Foshee says.

“[Principal Todd] Bennett talked about how he couldn’t imagine bringing that many students from a Clovis school and not having any kinds of problems,” Foshee said. “It was good to see everyone enjoy themselves.”

For more information, read the March 19 article, Sadies to feature amusement park excursion or check out Sadie Hawkins dance.