Rainbow Ball Shines Bright: Over 250 Students Celebrate Inclusivity at the Space Glow Dance

THURSDAY, JUN. 20, 2024

On May 16, the dance floor was aglow with more than 250 students celebrating inclusion and belonging at the Rainbow Ball. This year's Space Glow themed dance was hosted by Dunnville Secondary School, drawing in students from across Grand Erie for a night of music, dancing, games, food and fun.

The first Rainbow Ball was held back in 2015 by Simcoe Composite School's newly-formed Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), a dynamic club where students meet regularly to get to know and celebrate each others' differences and similarities. At the time, students and staff were searching for ways to bring awareness, acceptance and support to members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and build stronger connections with their straight allies. 

Every year since, namesake founders Jason Mayo and Jason Dale have watched the event gain momentum, with 2024 being its biggest year yet. Though the first dance in 2015 saw just 67 attendees from seven schools, the positive word caught on quickly. Now in its eighth year, the Rainbow Ball hosted nearly 300 students from every Grand Erie school, as well as from three schools in the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB). 

In previous years, the Rainbow Ball was hosted by Waterford District High School with a Las Vegas theme, Delhi District Secondary School with a Disney theme, Paris District High School with A Night Under The Stars theme and more.

"We're fairly certain that we are one of the few boards in the province that holds an annual event like this, and that shows that Grand Erie is a leader in inclusivity," said Mayo, a teacher at Waterford District High School. 

"It just goes to show that small towns do not equal small minds."