PE classes show their moves

Physical Education isn’t just about jumping jacks or running laps anymore. A two week unit at John C. Thomas Middle School prepared students for the third Annual Valentines Day Ball, held on Valentine’s Day in the Julius A. Wendt Elementary School Multi-purpose Room.

P.E. teacher Mary Moonen taught students how to Cha-Cha, Fox Trot and Waltz, “But their favorite is Swing!” Moonen said as she watched over the 120 students dance to the music of Glenn Miller.

Entrance to the ball requires boys to wear ties and the girls to wear either skirts or dresses. Moonen said that the kids really get into it, some girls even wearing their sister’s old prom dresses.

She said that the dance is a win-win situation. “If they fill out their dance card, they get 10-extra credit points.”

Moonen uses a variety of dance music, from The Beach Boys to classical waltz. “Modern day music is so hard to dance to,” she said.

Sixth grader Joel Gaillard sat on the stage steps with his friends Mason Mackey and Zach Calvert, Mackey clutching his Valentine teddy bear, “Mr. Hammy,” and watching the students spin around the dance floor. He said he liked the unit, but because of an injury, he couldn’t really dance. Swing, he said, is his favorite, “because it is the most energetic” adding that he looks forward to next year's event. “Hopefully, I won’t break my hand,” he said holding up his cast.

Eighth grader Abby Buennagel laughed as she finished dancing and came back to sit on the bench. Her favorite dance was also the swing. “The rest bored me; they are too slow,” she said, adding that she thinks the unit is a good idea. “It teaches us things we may not learn otherwise.”

The staff provided the students with cookies and punch, so it is much like a formal party. The dance gave the students the chance to dress up in a proper way, teaching them socialization.

“They act like ladies and gentlemen,” Moonen said.

The dance will continue in the future. “It’s a tradition. It’s my passion. I love to dance and I try to make the boys strong leaders. They may make some woman very happy,” she laughed.