Imaginations come alive at VATS Fantasy Tea Party

From princesses to superheroes to budding wizards, the Vendome Events Center was filled with fantasy and fun on March 2 for the fourth annual Victoria Arrierro Thomas Studio (VATS) Fantasy Tea Party.
 The annual event is fun for all who attend and participate, but also serves two important purposes for the studio. 
 First, the participants get a great acting experience. They have the opportunity to stay in character for the entire event, practicing their expression, audience interaction and ad-libbing skills. 
 The second purpose of the event is to give scholarships to graduating seniors in our community who use their talents to serve others. Last year, the studio was able to award 12 scholarships. Five of the 12 scholarships were awarded to students that were not members of the VATS studio but who had also volunteered for the event. 
 While it’s not guaranteed that the VATS studio can give everyone that helps with the event a scholarship, studio owner Tori Thomas said she strives to do the best she can.
 “It depends fully upon how successful the tea part does but, we try at the VATS to help as many as we can further their dreams in higher education,” Thomas said. 
 Children from the community who came to the event were welcomed by their favorite Scottish princess Bella Strasser (who even let them hold their bow) and the ladies in waiting, (Rachele Story and Heidi Waite). Then they were  able to play games with the purple princess (Elaina Hofffman), cast magic spells with wizards (Nate Lattin, Emily Abramson, and Isaac To’omalatai), take pictures in the starry night sky with Wendy and Peter and their favorite fairy (Emma Tolman, Brayden Walker, and Ebbe King), conquer an obstacle course with their favorite superheroes (Layten Tolman, and Eli To’omalatai),  and make crowns with the Mad Hatter (Branson Ward), and decorate tea cups with Alice (Chalise Walker). 
 After being introduced to the party, by a big friendly ogre, his princess, and their noble steed (Justin Thomas, Tori Thomas, and Daniel Rodriguez), the participants enjoyed their sweet treats as they placed flowers on Rapunzel’s (Katelynn Young) hair, with the help of the Noble Prince (Kyler Tomason).
 They danced with Snow White (Ashlyn Walker), Cinderella (Elle Walker), Beauty (Brooke Anderson), Frog Princess (Damia Mosley), and her southern friend, (Rylinn Strasser), and their favorite mermaid (Kali Branstetter), Polynesian princess (Andrea Montoya) and the snow princess sisters (Danielle Hoopes, and Indy May) 
 Brooke Anderson has been able to be a part of the event for the last three years and said she has loved every moment of each event. Anderson shared that while there is always a lot of work that has to be done to prepare for the event, there are always so many parents, VATS studio students and other volunteers that help make the big job easier. 
 “Every moment with the kids has been completely magical. After all, what little girl hasn’t dreamed of being a princess?” Anderson said.  
 Anyone interested in helping with the annual event next year, can contact Tori Thomas, owner of the VATS studio, for more information. 
 With attendance a little down this year, Thomas is hopeful they can promote the event for next year even more. The Annual Tea Party always takes place the first Saturday of March, so mark your calendars for next year’s on March 7!
 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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