Newport Harbor High dancers test their moves
Eleven teachers and staff members from Newport Harbor High School came wearing sparkles, feathers and dancing shoes when they showed up at the campus’ main gym Thursday night.
They were ready to show their best moves — and win this year’s mirror ball trophy.
Newport Harbor’s sixth annual Dancing with the Staff showcased the dance floor talents of eight groups — made up of the 11 campus employees joined by 16 student dancers — while also raising money for the school’s dance team.
“It’s something that started out as a fun idea to fundraise for the dance team,” dance teacher Julie Simmons said about the event. “Now, people can’t image a year without Dancing with the Staff.”
Each group included two student dancers. The two students in each group could be paired with one staff member or two per dance number.
This year’s contenders were Principal Sean Boulton, security staff member Adrianna Wood and nine teachers from the school’s English, math, science, physical education and language departments.
They performed in the gym before an audience of more than 250 and a panel of judges featuring senior class President Jake Toohey, dance team coach Tara Olson and Assistant Principal Jack Cusick.
“[Dancing with the Staff] has always been loved by our school … to see the teachers do something so outrageous and different,” senior and dance team member Karson Speth said.
Vibrant costumes and dance moves from science teachers John Brazelton, Ed Bell and Oscar Constandse were inspired by numbers from “Chicago the Musical” and “High School Musical.”
Teachers Brandon Clay, Robin O’Leary, Kristin Case and Melissa Taravella rocked flashy spandex outfits as they stepped into the past for 1980s songs like “Mr. Roboto” and “Let’s Get Physical.”
But in the end, the audience votes went to biology teacher Matt Burns for his routine with students Tiffany Salerno and Ali Woodward.
Their team performance packed a punch with their satin boxing robe costumes and Burns’ moves, including the worm.
“The teachers are used to seeing us in the classroom, learning from them,” Speth said. “But for the roles to be reversed and to see them invited to our classroom, in a sense, they get to know us in a different way. A respect for each other comes out of it.”
Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
