After a several-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Dancing with the Teachers fundraiser returned on March 13 at Kennedy High School, with eight teachers competing for the coveted mirror ball trophy – and bragging rights.

Mrs. McManus, Mr. Wrobel, Mr. Gattus, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Valenti, Mr. Alford, Mr. Velasquez and Ms. Shapiro worked with teachers from local dance studio JAM Dance & Fitness in Bellmore for weeks leading up to the competition, which raised more than $6,000 for Special Olympics New York. 

Principal Gerard Owenburg, business teacher Mrs. Rojas, guidance counselor Mr. Sansanelli and a senior/raffle winner chosen on the night of the event served as judges, commenting on various criteria such as costumes, dance style, facial expressions and more. 

At the end of the evening, Mr. Velasquez, a first-year social studies teacher, was crowned the winner.

Teachers Mr. Dell Ollio and Mr. Lella served as the evening’s emcees, welcoming and interviewing competitors, as well as injecting much humor into the event.

Ahead of the event, science teacher Mrs. Hughes, and parents/hairdressers Brenda Gallo of Creative Impressions Salon in East Meadow and Cathy White of Willows Cove Salon in Mineola volunteered their time to provide makeup and hair styling services for the teachers. Additionally, Esquire Tuxedos of Merrick provided complimentary tuxedo rentals. The school’s PTA also served as an event sponsor. 
Organized by the school’s Student Government Association, which is led by President Matt Rowe and Vice President Sarah Lieberman, the weeks-long process was assisted by the Special Projects Committee, including Kayla Indich, Paige Selzter, Julie Lehrfeld, Jolie Weiss, Shaylene Tzadok, Gabby Vayman and Rachael Van Daly. 

“Each year we task them [the Student Government Association] with helping us make meaningful high school memories for the students and they delivered,” noted Owenburg. “They did a fantastic job, especially with keeping the focus on the Special Olympics charity, tying it to all their special events this year. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Addison Soffer served as the host of various Minute-To-Win-It games that incorporated student audience members. The Student Government is led by faculty advisor Brad Seidman.