The Mad Hot St. John Dancing Classrooms Project’s culminating event will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10. Students from the all three islands’ schools will participate. Guy Benjamin, Julius E. Sprauve and Gifft Hill will gather to showcase what they have learned and dance with students from the other schools. The second event, The Mad Hot Team Match "Colors of the Rainbow" Competition, willtake place from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11. Both events will be held at the Westin Resort on St. John.
“These activities are a celebration of all the hard working efforts that have been put forth by the faculty, parents and friends of the Dancing Classroom’s Program,” said Jaycee Gossette, program coordinator and lead instructor. “Mr. Pierre Dulaine, the inspiration behind the award-winning documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom," will be flying in from New York City to MC the events! The moment all the children have been waiting for has finally arrived. During the grand finale, six teams from each participating school will compete for the Dancing Classrooms Championship Trophy.”
The 10-week community project, in collaboration with Pond Bay Development and written from the 2004 documentary, offered students ballroom lessons in the meringue, fox-trot, rumba, waltz, tango and swing. The concept utilizes a curriculum-based teaching approach to promote its mission to build social awareness, confidence and self-esteem in its participants.
“This is an open event to anyone who would like to come out and cheer on the participants from their schools. Paint your face, make posters and wear your school’s colors. Friends, family and the entire community are invited. The school showing the most team spirit with colors, posters, cheers and support will win an award as well as a pizza party for everyone at the school. Following the students’ performances the entire community is invited to join in with the dancing.”
For more information, contact Gosette at (757) 999-4600 or Juel Anderson via e-mail at janderson@doe.vi.
