The Princess Academy, led by Wadsworth High School choir students, will be hosted on February 15, 2025.

Princess Academy is led by choir director Kalyn Davis and choir members. The event has been run for about 8 years at WHS and gives elementary students an opportunity to dress up and live out their fairytale dreams.

“The event is for girls from kindergarten through fourth grade,” Davis said.

Female choir students dress up as different princesses and fairy godmothers. They help run and coordinate the stations that are set up for doing hair, nails, and crafts. Each elementary student is dressed up as a princess of their choosing. Stories are also read to the children. Then, they are taught choreography by the choir. Parents arrive several hours later to watch the princesses perform the dances they learned.

“I was a godmother, and they all thought I was a real fairy,” said junior Tabitha Quinlan, who participated in the academy in 2024. “Seeing how happy they get when they meet a princess and get their hair and nails done is priceless.”

Preparations for the academy are already underway. Parents are able to sign their children up online, and Davis described the system as first come first serve.

“I think we’re already up to 96 that are registered,” Davis said. “We usually run anywhere from 120 to 130 girls, so it’s pretty well attended.”

Choir students have also been signing up since the program offers senior volunteer hours. While Davis typically only has one of the choirs host it, this year any girl can sign up, and about 60 are going to work as princesses or fairy godmothers.

The more children and students that sign up, the better, because Princess Academy is actually a fundraiser for the choir department. It is only $30 to sign up, and that money goes to essential costs for the choir.

“The choir department is self-funded,” Davis said. “So it buys new music, pays for professional choreography, and goes towards new dresses and uniforms.”

The fundraiser has gone well in previous years, and with high attendance rates, Davis is confident it will also bring in enough money this year to cover several costs for the choir. However, the best part of Princess Academy seems to be seeing the girls enjoying themselves, rather than the money raised.

“The parents enjoy it, and the little princesses are excited to come back next year,” Davis said. “The high school kids have a good time too. It’s something different for them, and a lot of them enjoy dressing up as the different princesses. So it’s enjoyable for everyone.”

Davis and the rest of the choir students are excited for the academy to resume on February 15, and they will continue to prepare for the event.

To register for the event, visit the Princess Academy registration page: https://www.locallevelevents.com/events/details/37464