Winter Formal held in Hurley

HURLEY - A Winter Formal was held at the Iron County Memorial Building on Saturday night for area high schoolers.

Ninth through 12th grade students from Hurley, Ironwood, Bessemer, Wakefield-Marenisco and Mercer were all invited to attend the Hurley fundraiser which lasted from 7 p.m. until midnight, with music beginning at 8 p.m.

The dance and dinner is held to raise money for the Hurley Last Blast, a graduation party held in the spring, said Sue Herlevi.

Last Blast is an alcohol-free event for graduating seniors, and takes place the night of graduation.

The ballroom in the Memorial Building was decorated in shades of blue, silver and white and and even included Christmas lights.

The dining space and dance floor were divided by tulle and a decorated archway. "They have food. They have music," said Dorothy Walesewicz, who is part of the restoration committee for the Memorial Building.

The food and drinks, including pop, chips and spaghetti, were all donated by parents for the event, Herlevi said. She said the building was also offered free-of-charge for the students to use.

Laura Scotford-Fedora said there was more than 100 students in attendance, but most were Hurley students.

"There are a few from Ironwood," she said.

This year, the event was planned at the same time as the Hurley homecoming. Herlevi said they decided to host the event on Saturday because the students are so busy during the week.

"It's fun," she said. " They have all day to get ready to go."

For more information on Last Blast, call the Hurley School District at 715-561-4900.