Next Rockin' at the Rec is March 18

The next Rockin' at the Rec is set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 18 at the

The popular dances are open to sixth- , seventh- and eighth-graders who live in Strongsville.

Theme of the next dance is neon. Tickets are on sale at the rec center the week of the dance, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Cost is $5 and includes pizza, pop and a DJ.

If any tickets are left, they are sold at the door starting at 6 p.m. for $10.

The Strongsville PTA Council, which runs the dances, uses $15,000 raised by Rockin' at the Rec to award 15 $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Strongsville, according to Barb Budzick, who chairs the dances with Cindy Vaccariello.

The rest of the proceeds go toward other Council projects like Parent University, grants, Founder's Day and Reflections.

There are eight dances a year, and each draws 700-900 kids.

"The children really enjoy them and it gives them a safe place to have fun," Budzick said.

The dances are the PTA Council's only fundraiser. 

Budzick said the council relies on volunteers to make the dances successful, like the 30 to 50 parent chaperones who attend at each event.