Dance class helps teens step toward maturity
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
It was a teenager's worst nightmare.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Two dozen eighth-graders dancing on stage in the school cafeteria during lunch, shaking their hips in time with the Caribbean beat of "Dollar Wine."
In Social and Popular Dance, students learn dances that run the gamut from the Mashed Potato to the Macarena. They must also write reaction papers, master dozens of dances and perform in front of classmates.
No curtain to hide behind, nowhere to run. Everyone was watching their every move.
But at Kapolei Middle School, students actually sign up to do this. And they like it.
The school has offered the popular elective Social and Popular Dance for nearly a year, partly as a socialization and life skills lesson but also to teach them an alternative to "freaking," the sexually provocative style of dancing that has been banned at high schools nationwide.
Despite the potential for serious adolescent embarrassment, about 200 students are enrolled in the class, learning a gamut of partner and line dances that span generations, from the Mashed Potato to the Bus Stop to the Macarena. Students have to write reaction papers, master dozens of dances and perform in front of their classmates.
But the philosophy behind the class isn't just about learning the steps to the Stroll.
Students also learn appropriate social behavior: how to ask a partner to dance, escort their partner on and off the floor, and remember to thank the other person for the dance.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
The teens love the class, and teachers say they have noticed a change in the behavior of students enrolled.
Kapolei Middle School students practice their line-dancing skills. About 200 students are enrolled in the class, which also teaches appropriate social behavior.
"We've seen them take what they've learned in the class and apply that in other classrooms," said Tristol Louis, an education assistant who helps with the class. "Some of the boys have turned into gentlemen. I know because they'll come up to me and ask me to dance. My heart just melts."
The class has become so popular that "freaking" is no longer the cool dance at Kapolei Middle. The teens prefer disco — Night Fever is an overwhelming favorite — and country line dancing.
"We have more kids that come up to do the line dances that are taught in class than you have 'freaking,' " Louis said.
Today the students will take their "final exam" at Rumours Nightclub, showing off every dance step — and respectable behavior — they've learned.
The class stresses practical life lessons, such as cooperation and problem-solving. In addition the students gain the confidence it takes to perform in front of their peers. Especially at this age.
"The class has standards like any other class," said Tracy Taylor, an adapted/inclusive physical education activities specialist who teaches the class. "But it's unique in that not only does it cover dance but all life skills that come as part of social dance."
Through dance, Taylor hopes students will develop a positive self-image and foster healthy social relationships, important lessons that can be applied outside the classroom.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
"Before, I used to hide," said 14-year-old Brandee Buhanghang, who was too nervous to perform in the school's talent show. "But now I find myself doing more things. I feel more confident."
Tracy Taylor, Kapolei Middle School dance instructor, says the class also covers life skills that come as part of social dance.
The school supports the dance class, in part because of problems schools have had with students "freaking" at afterschool dances.
So instead of canceling these dances, which many schools nationwide are doing, Kapolei Middle is taking a different approach.
Students enrolled in the dance class are required to organize and host dances, doing everything from hiring a disc jockey to selling $3 tickets. "Freaking" isn't banned; the kids just don't do it.
"The only reason our teens 'freak-dance' is because no one taught them how to dance," Louis said. "That's what they see on MTV. But this class teaches them there are other dances out there that are social and fun."
Not that students don't learn the latest groove moves. Part of the class is devoted to freestyle dancing, with steps that include the Electric Slide, Macarena and Popping.
"They're learning they can take control and do their own dance — and have fun out there," Taylor said. "In reality that's what they really want, to have fun."
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Tashia Fisher never used to dance. But taking the class has fostered a fondness for dancing in the 13-year-old seventh-grader.
Eighth-grader Sherrina Cunningham tries her hand at country line dancing, which, along with disco, has helped supplant "freaking" as one of the most popular dances at Kapolei Middle School.
"It's just really fun learning new songs and dances," Tashia said.
The hardest part of the class for most students is fulfilling a requirement to dance in front of their peers. Not only do they have to Shimmy and Bunny Hop in front of their classmates, but they also perform for the rest of the school during lunch in the cafeteria.
"At first it was really embarrassing," Tashia said. "But after that, it was just like doing in front of the class. We learn just not to be ashamed. Just go up there and show them what you've got."
They don't get teased or heckled — mostly because many of the students watching were once in Taylor's class.
Classmates Jerome Solivar and Mikuni Munsayac weren't into dancing at first. But weeks of waltzing and hand-jiving have changed their minds — and attitudes.
"Yeah, it (was) a challenge," Jerome said. "But there's no shame already. Who cares what anyone else says?"
Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8103.
