The Sacred Heart Greenwich Upper School experienced the enchantment of Paris at the annual fall Father-Daughter Dinner Dance October 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  The dance took place off-campus for the first time, as four hundred students and their fathers joined together at the Greenwich Hyatt Regency Hotel to attend the “Emily in Paris”-inspired event.  This occasion has particular significance for the seniors, as their fathers, “The Dadrigals,” took the stage and dedicated a performance to their daughters.  Seniors Cait Haggerty and Kelsey Wilkens, along with their fathers, Mr. Kevin G. Haggerty and Mr. Jeff Wilkens, reflected on the personal significance of this special Sacred Heart tradition.

The Upper School Parent Association selects a theme each year for the annual dance, aiming to resonate with the students and create a captivating ambience.  Co-chairs Mrs. Stephanie Zaccario, mother of senior Giorgia Zaccario, and Mrs. Nathalie Clark, mother of senior Caroline Clark, chose this year’s theme, “Emily in Paris.”  Mrs. Zaccario explained that the Parent Association selected this theme to highlight the city’s magical and enchanting culture.  She described how Parisian aesthetics are famous for their inherent beauty, elegance, and enchantment, making it an ideal and magical choice for this year’s event.

The Dadrigals began to rehearse their singing performance September 20, leaving them with five weeks of practice before they took the stage Saturday night.  Ms. Lora Haskins, executive director and actor at the Studio for Performing Arts in New Canaan, Connecticut, along with Ms. Cassie Austin, the organization’s co-director and musical theater teacher, were the choreographers of this year’s Dadrigals group.  The group practiced every Sunday afternoon in the Lennie and John de Csepel Theater, running through music with lyric sheets, listening to tracks with vocals, and rehearsing choreography.  Ms. Haskins reflected on her first time managing the Dadrigals. 

“It’s been so exciting and heartwarming to see these dads come out and put so much devotion into this performance for their girls,” Ms. Haskins said.  “Their willingness to go out of their comfort zone and be a bit silly shows just how much they love their girls.  We love getting to be a part of that.” 

As this year is Mr. Wilkens’ fourth time performing with the Dadrigals, he reflected on the special tradition.  Mr. Wilkens discussed how his Dadrigals experiences represent what it means to be a part of the Sacred Heart community.

“Each time I have participated, it has been an incredibly personal and uplifting experience,” Mr. Wilkens said.  “I love getting to know the other dads, having fun, but most importantly, having that incredibly special moment with my daughter.  A memory that will last a lifetime.  I think the Dadrigals are a good example of a community in line with the Goals and Criteria.  I feel Sacred Heart is a huge family, and the Dadrigals are a unit within that family.  We are there to support and bond with our daughters, bond with all the fathers, and support the traditions of Sacred Heart.” 

Kelsey elaborated on why the Dadrigals performance was meaningful to her.  She shared how she has always loved watching the performance and how heartwarming it is.  Before the event, she touched on how this night would be even more memorable for her now that she is a senior. 

“Being a senior myself, I know I am going to cry even more while watching the Dadrigals this year because I know how much dedication and love my dad has put into these performances,” Kelsey said.  “He talks about his moves on the dance floor and his singing practice all year round, so I cannot wait to see what they have put together.”

Mr. Haggerty, now in his second year as part of the Dadrigals, shared his insights into the joyous atmosphere that unfolds when the fathers come together to put on a show for their beloved daughters.  He emphasized the unifying power of this tradition.

“It represents the type of students we have at Sacred Heart between the different backgrounds of all the students to the universal beliefs in ourselves and our community that we can get together and put on a show for our daughters and sing and dance for them,” Mr. Haggerty said. 

Cait offered her reflections on the profound significance of this heartfelt performance.  She expressed how the tradition fosters enduring bonds between fathers and daughters, creating memories for years to come.

“The Dadrigals performance is something I’ve looked forward to since freshman year,” Cait said.  “A lot of us see our dads in such a serious light, and this is a refreshing change of pace.  The performance leaves such a positive memory that we can collectively look back on.”

Featured Image by Maggie Heffernan ’25