SBMA Holds Annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance

Sayville Music Booster for the Arts (SMBA) held its fourth annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance Scholarship Fundraiser at Land’s End on Feb. 12. More than 80 people came out to support SMBA for an evening of fine food, music, dancing and entertainment.

Guests were treated to a buffet dinner, coffee, dessert and beer, wine and soda. There was also dancing all night long with the DJ and a free ballroom dance lesson. “This is our fourth annual dinner dance and I want to thank again for their support of this event,” said Christine Lofaro, SMBA president. “Each year we try to raise as much money as possible for scholarships. All the money raised goes back to the students of Sayville.”

According to Denise Fliedner, SMBA board member, last year the organization provided more than $16,000 in scholarships for Sayville students in grades six through 12 with talent in art, drama, dance, creative writing and vocal and/or instrumental music. 

“We have a smaller crowd than we have had in year’s past and we don’t know if we can attribute that to the economy or to the lousy weather this winter,” Fliedner said. There were some familiar faces in the crowd from throughout the district, especially those who have been involved in the music and arts programs including Linda Mittiga, who does public relations for the school district; Jeff Hoffman, who is the music chairman and his wife Diane, also a music teacher; Steve Hailey, head of the drama department and his wife Donna, who gives vocal lessons; and Amy McGrath, who started SMBA and is always there to support it.

Other fundraising events that SMBA does, according to Fliedner, include selling breakfast and lunch at some of the music events such as Tuba Day and Percussion Day.

Grant applications for this year are available in the school Guidance Offices; Senior Scholarship Applications are also available. On May 7, SMBA holds its Evening in Celebration where it gives out its grants, awards and scholarship to seniors. “It’s usually about $16,000 that we give out, but it depends on the candidate pool,” Fliedner said. “We have very stringent requirements.”

On March 6, and in conjunction with music in schools month, SMBA holds its Afternoon in Celebration at the , where the seniors and faculty perform their showcase of talents. “It’s great for the younger kids to come and see the showcase because they can get a feel for their potential and see how their talents can develop,” Fliedner said.

For more information on SMBA, visit www.mysmba.org.