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Imagine a good old-fashioned hoe-down where the entire community gets together for dancing, fun, and good food! Imagine a setting in the spring twilight where families sit together with neighbors, and children’s happy laughter fills the air. There is a spirit of community and caring, there is the simple joy of being neighborly, and there is the security of being a part of something significant. This was the scene at Beaver Dam Elementary School the evening of May 1, when the annual Spring Fling celebration gathered the parents, staff, and students together for an evening of dancing and dining.
Under the direction of Mrs. Richa Biasi, each class had diligently learned to dance to tunes that spanned sixty years.
Preschool began the evening with “The Chicken Dance”, an oom-pah song made famous on the accordion and originating in Switzerland. Sometimes known as the “Birdie Song” it remains a favorite at parties and was beautifully performed by the littlest eaglets.
Anyone who lived through the fifties can probably still recite the epic tale of the Purple People Eater who came to earth to get a job in a rock ‘n roll band. This chart topper was one of Sheb Wooley’s big hits and was entertainingly performed by the first grade.
The first grade classes brought back memories of surfing in the California sun, which was popular in the sixties. They danced to the Beach Boys’ big hit “Surfin USA”.
The second grade students really got the rhythm as they rocked to “Do You Love Me (Now that I Can Dance)”. The entire audience clapped and stomped their feet to this happy tune.
Third grade classes gave entertaining performances of “YMCA” and “Kung Fu Fighting”. It is always fun to watch a group make the letters for the YMCA song, and the third graders were super! The Kung Fu song was a reminder of the popularity of martial arts in the 70’s.
Kenny Loggins’ big hit “Footloose” was the song that the fourth grade brought to life. Their energy and enthusiasm was contagious.
The sixth grade classes brought down the house with “Everybody Dance Now” and “It’s Time”. These hits represented the last decade of the 20th century and first ten years of the 21stcentury. The theme of being true to one’s self set the stage for the new century. It was very moving to see the students carry signs which they had designed, declaring their hopes and dreams for their lives.
The faculty of Beaver Dam, never shy to perform, ended the program with a well-rehearsed rendition of the “Cupid Shuffle”. When they invited some members of the audience to join in the dance, the response was overwhelming. Everybody got up and danced their hearts out. It was “flash dance” time in the eagles’ nest!
The evening’s meal was prepared by Miss Susan and her dedicated staff. Over 500 meals were served. After the food and entertainment, the community sat on the grass and chairs, visiting and enjoying each others’ company as the spring sun slowly descended into the horizon. It was an evening in which the community spirit of Beaver Dam clearly expressed itself, revealing a friendly and safe place for little eaglets to learn about how good it is to live in such a secure, caring community.
