Elegance and grace filled the gymnasium at Sachem High School East recently as Lynwood Elementary School fifth-grade students took part in the Dancing with the Lynwood Stars culminating performance as part of the Dancing Classrooms program.

In its ninth year at Lynwood, the 10-week Dancing Classrooms program teaches students eight ballroom dances, a line dance and a folk dance. As students worked through numerous dance classes, teamwork, respect, self-confidence and nonverbal communication were continuously emphasized by teaching artist Jessica Heins.

As a culmination to their study, the students performed the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, waltz, tango, swing and polka for a packed crowd of family and friends. Each dance was prefaced with a student-led demonstration showcasing the cadences for each step the students learned. In between the performances, students read essays reflecting on their dance experiences. 

To conclude the fun-filled night, members of the audience were asked to join the students in a large group dance demonstration.