Nervously tottering into the gym on high heels and even higher hopes, the girls are dazzling in sequins, satin, feather boas and poodle skirts. The boys look debonair in their starched white shirts and fedora hats. Many have never even heard of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but the students are nonetheless ready to cha-cha, fox-trot, waltz and swing dance.
Ashlee Hernandez and Ryan Allarde
The stakes are high as the students compete for honor, glory and trophies during the Grand Ball Bowl dance competition in Redwood City. They want the right to be called king or queen of the dance floor - and their class at Kennedy Middle School.
"I'm nervous and excited,' says Ashika Prasad, 13, who looks elegant in a black evening gown. "I want to go out there and win.'
Aaron Cline and Daryl Anne Estill
"I don't really care,' says her partner, Brad Becker, 13.
"He cares, he cares," says Prasad, giving him a push. "He just doesn't want to act like it in front of his friends. We've been practicing for weeks."
The contest is the culmination of months of ballroom dance lessons that are part of the physical education curriculum at the school. While the entire student body must take lessons, only 40 couples are chosen as finalists.
"It gives the kids a chance to shine. Without a doubt, it's great for their self-esteem," says dance teacher Bret Baird, a member of the Redwood City Teachers Association (RTA).
Strutting their stuff at the Grand Ball Bowl at Kennedy Middle School in Redwood City
The school, which ironically has been labeled both an underperforming school and a distinguished school, has a population that is 70 percent Latino, with many students at the poverty level.
"They learn dances that will be with them the rest of their lives," says Baird. "They also learn social graces."
Chris Bordinero and LaRonica Brown
"When the boys first start dancing, they all move their legs like Frankenstein," confides physical education teacher Doug Dressler. "You tell them to start bending their legs, but no matter what they do, they all look like Frankenstein."
Dressler, a former pro football running back with the Cincinnati Bengals, was taught ballroom dance by a boxing coach at California State University at Chico. When Dressler started the dance program at the middle school a decade ago, it was slow to catch on, but now kids love it. Teachers also love it, but for different reasons.
James Retana and Erica Moreno
"During dance season, there are fewer problems on campus and fewer referrals to the office," says Dressler. "Kids behave better. We are socializing them. They are being nice to one another."
"We give them the opportunity to choose their partners, but if they don't, we choose for them," says physical education teacher James Earl Smith. "If they refuse to dance, we give them another option - exercise. Most choose to dance."
Teacher/emcee Doug Dressler
"The best thing for me," says physical education teacher Joyce Dickson, "is seeing these shy little kids transformed into graceful dancers."
"Contestants, contestants, please take the gum out of your mouths," booms Smith from the microphone.
"And when you are waltzing, put your nose up in the air. You gotta look snooty," adds Dressler.
Many of the girls are a full head taller than the boys. Some couples dance woodenly while others twirl wildly about the floor. One girl manages to twirl into a split.
John Bouret and Arletthe Chevez
After two hours, the contest is over. Those declared kings and queens clutch their trophies and dance on air while their classmates shower them with congratulations.
"These kids will always remember learning to dance here," says Dressler.
