As Adam was getting ready to go to the Valentine’s Dance at Garfield Community Learning Center Thursday afternoon, he had trouble containing his excitement.
Sporting a blue vest and bandanas decorated in festive hearts, Adam, a facility dog who works at the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office with his handler, Alyse Ziga, followed the sound of “Rolex” by Ayo & Teo from the school’s auxiliary gymnasium.
As soon as he turned the corner, he was met with hugs and teenage cries of “Oh, you’re so cute!” That’s when the 4½-year-old black Labrador Retriever’s tail began wagging.
For the last 13 years, Garfield teacher Julie Garcia and her students in the Marketing Pathway have been planning and organizing this dance specifically for the school’s students with special needs. This year, line dances were popular among the teens and “Cupid Shuffle” began playing.
The morning of the dance, Garcia’s students decorated the gym with paper hearts and sparkly red garlands. They filled favor bags with sweet treats and made a personalized Valentine for each attendee.
The dance has become such a beloved tradition that students in Chelsea Schroeck’s class begin talking about it weeks in advance. Schroeck is an intervention specialist for 10th-grade students.
“They really look forward to it. They talk about what they’re going to wear to the dance and if Adam will be there,” she said, referring to their favorite canine guest, who attended the two previous dances.
“It’s a great way for the students to be included in something designed just for them,” Schroeck said.
On Thursday, several teens sat together at a table in the gym — each was wearing headphones. Some stood in the hall just outside the gym doors, swaying to the music, while others remained in their classroom with their teacher. Others jumped in to bust a move and danced like no one was watching.
LIke Kylee Echols, a 9th grader, who smiled as she danced in the middle of a circle, surrounded by other students on the hardwood dance floor in the gym. Senior Emee Mendez sported pink heart-shaped plastic glasses in honor of Valentine’s Day.
One student playfully grabbed Ziga by the hand and pulled her and Adam onto the dance floor. When the students stopped dancing for a rest break, the pup allowed them to stroke his fur.
“He loves love,” Ziga said, giving Adam a pat on his head.
