YAC holds 4th annual Daddy/Daughter Dance

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

More than 250 fathers and daughters danced the evening away, making memories and sharing the night with someone that will always be an important part of their lives.
The Copperas Cove Youth Advisory Council (YAC) hosted the 4th annual Daddy/Daughter Dance at the Copperas Cove Civic Center Saturday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The event was open to all young ladies and their favorite father figures. Tickets for the event were $20 per couple with an extra fee for additional participants. 
Money raised at the event will go towards future YAC projects and events. In addition to dancing, the event also featured games, pictures, caricatures, food, and more.
“She really wanted to come,” said Patrick Baker who brought his daughter, Courtney Baker (7). “She’s been excited.”
“I’ve been like ‘Can I put my dress on yet?’ all day!” said Courtney Baker. “I think it’s great! And his bow tie matches my dress.”
Many of the daughters gazed adoringly at their fathers as the pairs danced to the kid friendly music. It wasn’t just that they could dress up and dance, but the fact that they could have fun while spending time with their fathers.
“She might not remember this, but it is a memory being made. At least it is for me,” said Sergeant 1st Class Robert Hankins after dancing with his 15-month-old daughter, Madison Hankins. “She’s having a great time.”
Throughout the evening, the YAC offered a variety of raffle prizes including tickets for Inner Space Caverns, Schlitterbahn, Cinergy Cinemas, Austin Zoo, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and more. 
Raffle prizes were provided by generous donors both in the community and outside of it.
“Our community supported us a lot. We’re very lucky,” said Rylee Oster, secretary for YAC. “It’s a really good turnout…I feel like everyone’s going to have a great time.”
“It’s good to see the girls put in the hard work to provide this to the community,” said Caycee Hauk, Recreation Aquatics Coordinator for the Copperas Cove Parks & Recreation Department.
Danny Maas brought his daughter Camberleigh Piper (8) to the dance. The two moved to the area from Wyoming and Maas said that they had similar events there. 
He said he really liked Cove’s event because there were a lot more participants which he said made things a lot more fun.
“I like it because I got to dance with my Daddy and I get to spend time with my daddy,” said Camberleigh Piper.