This luncheon is in honor of the students who went to Valley Forge for the American Leaders Youth Summit. It is held in late April or early May of each year. In 2011, the luncheon took place at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club on the first of May.

A representative from each trip related their experiences on behalf of their group. Amanda Strum, St. Thomas Aquinas H.S., gave the February trip report. Sara Sherman, Coral Glades High School, showed pictures from the March trip while the very patriotic God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood’s song) played. Reporting for April were Daniel Christe, American Heritage School, and Alex Kaplan, Marjory Stoneman Douglas H. S.

The program entertainment focused on music and included a rousing patriotic medley by Gail Smith, the First Lady of Piano, and Ballads of America (songs from colonial America) by Matthew Sabatella. Christina Roldan, Westminster Academy, in her beautiful, beautiful voice, closed the program with God Bless America.

Another part of the program was learning and then demonstrating contra dancing – a folk dance popular in Revolutionary times. One of the traditions is that the dance is done to live music which was provided by Matthew Sabatella and Chris Allen. Dance master Louis F. Dow II is on the right.

The students enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to learn and demonstrate contra dancing. Around to the left, back to the right, circle the guy behind you . . . somehow the students managed to end up where Mr. Dow wanted them – well mostly.