Dancing With Students: Academy Park kids ‘swing’

SHARON HILL » A different kind of physical education was on display in the gym of Academy Park High School Thursday morning.

About 100 students paired up to take part in the school’s first ballroom dancing competition as they performed the tango, merengue, swing and the waltz in front of their fellow classmates and teachers.

The competition was the result of five weeks of practice during gym class with teachers from the Philadelphia-based non-profit group Dancing with the Students, which teaches students in urban area schools the art of ballroom dancing.

Assistant Principal Jaime Smyth had worked with Dancing with the Students before she came to Academy Park in December and knew it would be a good fit.

“I really wanted to expose (students) to something that’s really fun, and this is a fun thing that makes them want to get up for school,” she said. “My strength is bringing that family, love, fun, goofiness to educational settings that you want to come to work, to come to school.”

Four gym classes took part in this first go-around on the dance floor, pairing up students who may have been strangers to each other to put their best foot forward and compete. Being taught the dances is one goal, but there is another that comes with being a part of a dance pair and acknowledging the correct movements, knowing how to lead and levels of intimacy that come with it.

As the pairs were light of foot in performing the waltz, Smyth noted the correct hand placements a young man had with their partners and knowing of such respectable, appropriate touches adds a dimension of decorum in social settings.

“They need an outlet, some type of experience where they can learn matters and treat one another with respect, as well as learn a new skill,” said Smyth.

Their new skills, Smyth said, were reportedly on display at the recent junior prom by students who just couldn’t get enough of the dances.

“I’m blown away. I was brought to tears I was so excited,” she said about Thursday’s event.

Four pairs of students walked away with prizes for being the best performer of each of the four dances with laurels awarded for the overall best dancer and best pair.

Smyth hopes to continue the program in the future.

KEVIN TUSTIN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA This pair of Academy Park students has the right moves and chemistry for the ballroom dancing competition.

KEVIN TUSTIN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The dapper pairing of seniors Isaiah Abiola and Isis Smith claimed best waltz at the first Dancing with the Students event at Academy Park Thursday morning.

KEVIN TUSTIN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A line of winners including senior Fikayo Osho who was named by the judges as the best overall dancer. Osho earned this disco ball trophy for her efforts.