On Friday, September 20th, Immaculata-La Salle high school held one of it’s signature events, the Welcome Picnic and Kickoff Dance.

The day started with the Back to School Mass in the gym. The mass was celebrated by Father JC Paguaga from Saint Agnes on Key Biscayne. The mass was animated by Mrs. Beltran’s peer ministers and Mr. Josue Cabrera’s choir. This was the first mass for ILS’s new musical director.

After mass, freshmen and transfer students went to the Club Fair in the cafeteria. Organized in part by Mr. Eric Beltran, director of Student Activities , the new students at ILS got a sneak preview of the many clubs offered at ILS during the Club Fair. There are 27 official clubs at ILS.

“The freshmen and transfer students were enthusiastic and fully engaged in [the] presentations,” said Mr. Beltran. “And most importantly, they had fun!”

Meanwhile, in the gym the sophomores, juniors and seniors took part in the annual Yearbook Distribution event. Here, the ILS Yearbook class proudly presented their work to the school community, and each returning student received their 2018-2019 yearbook and had the opportunity to peruse the work and sign yearbooks for with their friends.

“We were happy to have a day that felt like a hug,” said junior Marjorie Amaral. “I felt well taken care of.”

Amaral went on to say it was a “happy moment [for] all students and staff to relive the year of activities and accomplishments eternalized with photos.”

The school day concluded with the Welcome Picnic, as students enjoyed burgers and barbecue chicken courtesy of Sage Dining.

That evening, the festivities continued with the football game and Kickoff Dance.

The ILS football team fought through inclement weather to face off against North Broward Prep. Despite a fourth quarter rally, the football team fell to their opponents ahead of the school dance.

The Kickoff Dance featured a 70s theme. SGA students and moderators spent hours decorating the cafeteria for the “That 70s Dance.”

Students flocked to the cafeteria despite the rainy weather in bellbottoms and tie-dye shirts. Some donned afros and big hoop earrings and bandanas all in a effort to win tickets to Winter Formal. Two students from each class level were chosen as “best dressed.”

The dance lasted until midnight and a great time was had by all. Kickoff Dance is the first of four official school dances throughout the year. The next dance will be the Homecoming Dance on October 25th.