WHAT’S HAPPENING’S TRI-CITY VOICE
April 5, 2016
BY JULIE GESIN PHOTOS BY PACIANO TRUFINO PHOTOGRAPHY
C
an you imagine students from the district’s biggest elementary school dancing in perfect unison so they can become a part of history? That is exactly what kids at Delaine Eastin Elementary in Union City set out to do. On the sunny afternoon of March 25, 2016 Eastin students, parents, teachers, and volunteers gathered on the blacktop to break the 2011 world square dancing record of 800 simultaneous dancers, set by Yorkville Middle School in Yorkville, Illinois. Every year, kids at Eastin Elementary have five weeks of square dancing as a physical education requirement, but they have never attempted anything like this before. When a team of teachers suggested beating the current world square dancing record, Eastin Principal Carla Victor immediately said: “Let’s do it!” Victor had no doubts that her well-organized team of instructors would work together to accomplish the set goal and give the kids a chance to be a in the spotlight. “Trivia records are fun to read, because they are so unique,” says Eastin media teacher, Laura Cox. “Students were very happy to hear they may be a part of history.” While practicing for the event, kids were learning about the origins of square dancing, as well as about the previous record holders. By combining music, movement, history, and geography in one art form, students were able to experience learning across the curriculum. Spearheaded by Eastin music teacher Ivan de Souza and coaches Darlene Crittendon and Megan Northcote, the endeavor required school-wide collaboration. They had to follow many strict rules and guidelines set by the Guinness Book of World Records’ officials. Bob Elling, an expert with 44-years of experience in square dance calling and music production, was contacted for supervision and advice. Singer/songwriter Andy Grammer agreed to grant de Souza permission to modify his hit song
“Honey, I’m Good” for a children’s event. Not only did de Souza record and sing the new version of the song, he also had to learn how to be a square dance caller himself. Since January, all the students, ranging from age 4 to 11, have been practicing three times a week to prepare for their big day. The idea also received a lot of support from parents, some of whom volunteered not to just help with the event but to dance in it as well. “This brings the whole school together,” explained Arian, a fifth grader at Eastin, swinging Landon, her four-year-old partner in an arm turn. As the whole Eastin community united for the event, students learned just how much can be accomplished through teamwork. The teachers at Eastin agree that square dancing contributes to developing skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Without working together, this dance simply would
half, she would consider trying to break another world record. “The kids get to leave their mark in history and create memories to last a lifetime.” What Eastin Elementary students got was even greater than what they had expected: a beautiful spring day, television and radio stations, newspaper reporters, and Delaine Eastin herself, the first and only woman to be elected to the office of California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci also attended the event along with City Manager Tony Acosta. It will now take 4 to 6 weeks for Guinness to evaluate the evidence and announce the official results, but whether or not the record was broken, the beauty was in the process of working together to reach a common goal, and that’s something that Eastin Elementary students will not soon forget.
School namesake Delaine Eastin and Eastin Elementary Principal Carla Victor witnessed students’ attempt to break the world square dancing record on March 25, 2016
not work. When older kids paired up with younger children and special needs partners, they were able help and encourage each other, as well as share creative criticism with fellow students. “We even have students who have become dance teachers by helping other teachers and parents,” explains Northcote. A fifth grader named Desi enjoyed the event because she loved helping younger kids learn how to square dance. “It was really fun, it was a great experience.” Crittendon says that in spite of the tremendous amount of time and work on everyone’s be-
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