Upon entering the door at the “Sci-Fi Out of this World” New Year’s Eve dance it is obvious this is not the first time the LDS church has put on such an event. Over 800 youth, ages 14-18, enter through the large back entrance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Aliso Viejo.
Teens are ready to for the Mormon Regional New Year’s
Eve dance party held in Aliso Viejo.
At check-in you receive a wristband from the leaders in your area before entering the rules overview station. The “stakes” or congregations represented included Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo.
Then the youth sit through a 3-minute overview of church standards such as being respectful and no freak dancing or inappropriate contact.
Jamie Draper of Ladera Ranch talks to youth and asks for a show of hands for first timers or visitors. Later Mr. Draper explains, “I want to make sure that they understand the rules but I also want newcomers and friends of all faiths to feel welcome. It is all about creating a fun positive experience for all of our youth.”
He then explains to a small group of teens the rules of conduct at an LDS dance. Be respectful of one another, no freak dancing and be modest. One girl named Amber was visiting from Virginia and Mr. Draper had the entire group say, “Welcome Amber.”
Then after the overview the youth file into a gigantic cultural hall decorated with a Sci-Fi theme. Liz Forrest, Santa Margarita stake young women’s president, explains, “The youth dictate both the theme and the refreshments and even help decorate the building the morning of the event. The dance is planned by the teens that serve on the four local youth councils. ”
The dessert bar includes vanilla wafers, candies, gold fish and even noise-makers for each of the 800 youth attending. Four projectors are positioned about 20 feet high playing four different Sci-Fi movies on the walls without sound. The DJ pulls out all the stops with current music, light shows and a smoke machine.
During fast music youth dance in small circles with their friends and talk and dance simultaneously. During slow music the teens pair off and then join up with their friends again when the song is complete. With only one minute left on the large basketball timer on the wall, youth crowd toward the center of floor to experience the hundreds upon hundreds of balloons falling from the ceiling at exactly midnight.
Starting over 35 years ago, the LDS church felt a strong need to provide a safe, wholesome, alcohol and drug free environment for youth to celebrate the new year. Back in the day, church congregations in Orange County would schedule with South Coast Plaza and rent out the entire mall for the event. No matter the location, putting on an event like this is anything but new to LDS youth leaders.
Story and pictures by Karen Lake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Media Director: Santa Margarita Stake
http://www.mormons.org
