St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Brings Music, Dance, and Community to the Raymond E. Santmyers Student Union and Activity Center

Lively Irish dancing, community spirit, and a warm meal brought families and students together on Saturday for a joyful St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Raymond E. Santmyers Student Union and Activity Center.

Hosted by Reaching Out Now, the free event featured a special performance from the talented dancers of Jig & Jive Dance Studio, led by longtime instructor Annie Guttierrez. The room was filled with energy as students performed traditional Irish dances in celebration of the holiday, with swing and ballroom dancers joining in during costume changes.

“We’re having an Irish party because it’s St. Patrick’s Day!” Guttierrez said with a smile before the performance began. “We’ve brought some of our swing and ballroom dancers, but this is a night to highlight Irish dance.”

Instructor Annie Guttierrez and Sophia Logan.

Irish dancers.

Guttierrez, who has led the Jig & Jive Dance Studio in downtown Front Royal for more than a decade, teaches students of all ages in Irish, swing, ballroom, and flamenco dance. Many of the young performers have been with the studio for years, including Sophia Logan, one of the longest-standing students. “Miss Annie is a great instructor, and we’ve all loved being part of the studio for so many years,” said Logan.

The crowd warmly applauded the performances, which brought tradition and joy to life on stage.

The evening also included a delicious dinner donated by Kari Rushing, owner of Vault & Cellar restaurant in Middletown. Families enjoyed the catered meal while socializing with friends and neighbors.

Joe and Samatha Barber.

Samantha Barber, President of Reaching Out Now, shared heartfelt remarks about the meaning behind the event and the space itself.

“This has been a dream come true,” she said. “A year ago, we said yes to the vision of creating a hub for our students—a space where they could gather for enrichment, fun, and community.” She reflected on the journey since opening the Student Union in early 2024 and thanked the community for their support. “This space was opened with our kids in mind.”

Her husband, Joe Barber, also spoke about the history of the building and how it has evolved to meet the needs of today’s students. “We hope this becomes a place filled with great memories, just like the old youth center was for many in the community.”

The Student Union, located at 200 E. 8th Street, is designed to serve students ages 13–18, offering a welcoming environment for learning, leadership, and recreation. With tutoring support, enrichment programs, a game room, and upcoming outdoor spaces, the center aims to be a vital hub for teens in Front Royal.

The evening ended with thanks to everyone involved, especially the performers and volunteers who helped make the event a success. “We strive to make every gathering a time of fellowship,” said Samantha Barber. “Tonight was a beautiful example of that.”

For more information on upcoming events, classes, or how to get involved, visit facebook.com or reachingoutnow.org.