Nearly 200 Lee County Life Skills Program students attended Mariner High School’s Annual Spring Dance, from numerous Lee County Schools.

It was an event filled with Hollywood glitz and glamour, as the students got to walk a red carpet and search for their own names on stars on the school’s own Walk Of Fame.

“This is the third year we are hosting the dance here at Mariner High School, one in a series of events each quarter, where the students get to socialize with other students from different schools in different venues,” said Principal Brian Mangan.

“It’s very well attended with lots of support from our general education population, which further integrates our entire population.”

“Students came from Cape Coral High School, North Fort Myers High School, Island Coast, Ida Baker and of course Mariner High School, as we host,” said Life Skills Teacher Carla Jerdan, who helped organize the event.

What did they enjoy the most?

“The music and the food,” she said. The dance floor was packed throughout the event.

She agreed that the event was a nice reunion for many of the students, with other students from the other schools.

“It’s a chance for them to see some of their friends they may only see in camp or summer school,” she said.

They also crowned, for the first time, a dance king and queen. The queen was Lexie Blythe from Ida Baker, and the king was Mariner’s own Charles Sayles.

“Lexie is a senior, an awesome student,” said Teachers Aide Arlene Busold. She loves to enjoy all her family and her friends, and she’s excited to graduate.

“She’s very excited, and at school she has come a long way,” said Teacher Lorraine Iacona.

King Charles is also a senior at Mariner.

“I was really surprised,” he said of his title. Of his outgoing personality, he said, “I just be myself. I like to hang out with my friends and family a lot, and my family members.”

Both king and queen are Cape Coral residents.

“We had staff members from all the schools choose a boy and girl senior that they thought would best represent their class. Then our principal picked from all of their names from a box the king and queen. It had to be like that rather than a vote, it would be too hard to choose,” she said. “They are all kings and queens in our eyes.”

All of the students that were entered into the vote got to stand as part of a royal court.

School official wished to thank the local McDonald’s, Chick-Fil-A, Jason’s Deli, Il Primo Pizza and Dominos Pizza for providing the food and drink for the event.