By SARA DOTY
The Progress
The students of Ute V. Perkins Elementary School performed their May Day dance festival for the community on Friday evening, May 13 on the school playground. From preschool to fifth graders the dances were full of creativity and charisma.
After holding only virtual May Day dance celebrations over the past couple years, this year the kids, parents and families came back to the school grounds for a live event.
“It is great to have our dance outside again,” said Perkins principal Hal Mortensen. “Last year it was ‘videoed’ to the parents. You definitely can tell that the kids and parents loved it all this year, every bit of it.”
The big spectacle of the dance was the amazing fourth graders. These talented kids came up with their dance themselves!
“They did it on their own!” said their teacher Dan Haiola. “They created small groups that were different styles.”
Photo courtesy of Monica Dominguez
The kids were able to come up with a dance that included 3 different dance styles. One student, Taytum Jones, danced with all the groups being the universal component.
“It was hard to learn all 3 styles,” said Jones. “Just pretty hard to do and to fill the gaps.”
The fifth grade class filled the tradition of braiding the May Pole. The students started out skipping up and around the maypole by themselves. Then each student was given the chance to bring up a special guest from the audience to help them in the second round. Most of the kids brought up a parent. But many asked an older sibling to join them.
School librarian Brooke Williams said, “I just love seeing the parents and siblings dance with their fifth graders.”
A lot of preparation comes into play for the May Day dance, most classes practice their routines every day for a month.
“We have practiced since the beginning of April for twenty minutes a day,” said 2nd grade teacher Cheryl Sobrio.
Not only do the students and teachers work hard to make this event happen, but so do many members in the entire community. The Leavitt family ran a concessions stand with popcorn and snow cones to raise money for the small school. In addition, the school’s office staff sold T-shirts at the event to earn more money for their school.
Assistant principal, Marrianne Ekenstam said that she was pleased to be back to normal again on the May Day tradition.
“We are super excited to be able to do this again this year,” Ekenstam said. “It’s great to have the community come out and be part of it. Super exciting to see the kids perform.”
Hope this great valley tradition of May Day dances can continue for years to come.
