Capri Scarcelli and Quincey Reese, Managing Editors; Alaina Goldberg, News Editor

The MORP dance at Penn-Trafford High School has returned for a third year, exciting students for the quickly-approaching spring Prom.

    According to Urban Dictionary, “morp” is an anti-prom. For this dance, students dress in neon and other brightly-colored clothing, completely opposing the typical Prom garb, and dance the night away with friends. This year’s dance was on Feb. 23, as it always takes place on the last Friday in February.

    Like last year, social studies teacher Philip Moses is in charge of organizing the dance, along with the many details that are involved in it.

    Moses said that organizing MORP becomes an easier task with each passing year.

   “I have dedicated chaperones that have never let me down,” Moses said.

    P-T alumni TJ Curran is the DJ for all of the dances here at the high school. Moses said that he has always seemed like the person best fit for the job.

    “He was a natural choice to bring the right sound for MORP,” Moses explained.

    The money raised from MORP is used to not only pay the DJ, but also to help support Prom. Moses said that all of the funds go towards making the Grand March — as well as the dance itself at Stratigos — fun and lively for students.

    Although MORP is intended to aid Prom, it has a completely different atmosphere than the more so formal dance.

    “Morp has always stayed simple.  It’s a time for friends to gather and have a good time.  No reason to ask for a date, no thousand dollar dress, no suit or tux,” Moses said.

  Senior Eden Elma has attended the dance each year it has been available to students, and she said she enjoys the informality of MORP.

    “I like how MORP is casual. You don’t need a date or a dress, which is great,” Elma said. “You can go with anyone you want and just dance.”

    Junior Tori Salada agreed with Elma, saying that she enjoys the relaxed setting of the dance, and that the expectations are not as high as they are for more formal dances like Homecoming and Prom.
   Junior Erin Brady, however, said she would rather have a different dance in place of the MORP dance to raise money for prom.

    “I want a Snowball dance. I like dressing up more than dressing down for a school dance,” Brady suggested.

    Schools such as Norwin High School have a winter formal that takes place around the same time as P-T’s MORP, according to Brady.

      As for attire for the dance, some students make use of what they have at home, while others opt to buy attire at stores.  Elma said she usually purchases her MORP outfits at Walmart, given that the store has a good variety for a relatively cheap price. Salada, on the other hand, said she usually makes use of what she already has at home, while also obtaining a few pieces of neon clothing from thrift stores.

    Elma added that she would encourage anyone to attend the dance if they are looking for something to do.

    “I definitely recommend that everyone go. It’s going to be just like other years where you dance and have a lot of fun,” Elma said. “MORP is really casual and there’s no way you wouldn’t have fun.”

    Junior Bella Pettinato said MORP is the best of both worlds.

    “You can dress comfy and casual but you still have the typical ‘school dance’ aspects as well,” Pettinato said.

    Although some have differing opinions of the dance, MORP is still enjoyed by many students at P-T, and this year has proven to be no exception.