BY KERRY MARSH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COLERAIN TOWNSHIP -- Teens planned it, arranged it and enjoyed it -- so now, Colerain dance sponsors will repeat it. High school students are invited to the second in a summer series of dances at the Colerain Community Senior Center, at 8 p.m. July 24.
Last month, nearly 75 teens from parochial and public high schools danced the night away at the first Summer Jam. "This gives kids a place to go and something to do on a Friday night," said Kay Schaffer, center director.
The idea of communitywide teen dances was planted in the mind of Township Trustee Diana Rielage at a youth summit in February, when students from McAuley, LaSalle, Colerain and Northwest high schools complained of a lack of entertainment.
"They came up with the idea of a dance club," said Ms. Rielage, "and I thought this was the next best thing. I would like to see the dances continued into the fall and expanded for middle school kids." Ms. Rielage and Ms. Schaffer invited students from the summit to a planning meeting in March.
Kyle Flynn, a sophomore from LaSalle, chaired the group, which set guidelines, found a disc jockey, did advertising and sold candy bars at the June dance to fund future dances.
"This gives them an opportunity to put something together and follow it through," said Ms. Schaffer. "These kids are our future leaders, and we have to trust them."
Mrs. Rielage is hoping to find teachers to volunteer for the remaining dances at the Community Senior Center, 4300 Springdale Road. The city stationed a police officer outside to make sure students had transportation home.
