New traditions at Meredith

By Jack Garvey

Organizers of this year's Father- Daughter Dance at Meredith College, an all girls' school in Raleigh, attempted to make the event more appealing by not limiting girls to asking their own fathers.

"My dad always embarrasses me in front of all of my friends," said freshman Blair Rockefeller. "Besides, Allison Trump's dad just divorced his third wife, and she got millions in the settlement. He's so handsome and eligible, unlike my dad."

Others thought the change took away from the tradition of sharing a dance with their fathers, who mean so much in their lives. Asking Daddy to the dance was often viewed as a transition toward independence while expressing gratitude towards the figure that made it all happen.

All seem to agree that the new guidelines are a positive change for girls without father figures of their own. David Vanderbilt, father of Tiffany Rose Vanderbilt, was asked to the dance by Tiffany's longtime friend and neighbor, Jenny Gates.

"Jenny's always been close to the family," said Mr. Vanderbilt. "Her dad left about nine months before she was born. It was really tough on Jenny's mom, so strictly as a good neighbor, I comforted her throughout her pregnancy. My wife also included Jenny as if she were one of our own. Our two houses were like a family; Tiffany and Jenny grew up like sisters."

"We've always joked that we look a lot alike," said Tiffany. "I don't really mind that she's going with my dad to the Father-Daughter Dance."

Event organizers say the dance went well, and parents especially enjoyed the new changes. As one father put it, "It was nice to meet the girls. One showed me one of their new dances, where girls shake their hips and grind against mine. My daughter looked so mortified, probably because I didn't know the dance. I just put my hand on the girl's waist and let her lead. She was a nice girl. I got her number, and she even promised to show me some more moves next weekend when I'm on a business trip in the Triangle."