The idea for the Ball came from 5th grade teacher, Karen Cohen, who enlisted the help of Metz & Associates, Friends-Selects dining manager, to help with all of the details. “The students had studied the election process from the primary season through the general election in November,” Cohen said. “They were all politically engaged and excited about the election as many of them had the opportunity to meet President Obama when he visited Philadelphia in the spring and fall.”

What added even more to the excitement of the evening was the fact that the President was staying in hotel across the street from the school on the evening of the Ball, preparing to kick off his train ride to Washington on the following day. Formal invitations were sent out to all of the guests, 50 of whom attended decked out in their finest party attire. They were greeted with a festive room decorated with silver streamers and balloon arches.

The Metz team provided an array of finger-foods and other delights throughout the evening, including mini colorful wraps with assorted fillings, fruit and vegetable platters, freshly baked cookies and pastries, a special cake, sparkling cider and a fruity punch. The party continued on into the night with students getting their photos taken with the cardboard cutout of the president and dancing a special dance that had been choreographed by teacher Lisa White-Jones. They also enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame when local Philadelphia television stations covered the Ball and interviewed several of the students.

“This was a terrific event for everyone involved,” said Tom Smith, Metz & Associates general manager at Friends-Select School. “The staff really go into the whole inaugural theme and the students had an absolute blast.”

Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570-675-8100.