Ute V. Perkins Elementary lit up the Moapa Valley High School Gym on May 9 with its annual Spring Dance Festival.

Parents, grandparents and friends packed the bleachers, excited to watch students from preschool through fifth grade perform.

The preschoolers opened the show in red, white and blue tie-dye shirts with an adorable routine to “The Wiggle Dance.” The Patriot Rockers, an after-school dance group, followed with a lively performance of “Waka Waka,” wearing grass skirts and incorporating moves from a popular line dance.

“It was ballroom dancing when I was in it. It was really fun,” said Sidney Rubio, a Perkins alumna and former Patriot Rocker who is now a parent of current students.

Kindergartners stomped and smiled in their dinosaur masks, dancing with joyful energy to “The Dinosaur Stomp.” Throughout the evening, students sitting in the back joined in by mimicking the routines from their seats, adding to the sense of community and fun.

First graders made an impact with their performance of “Champion.” Wearing burgundy shirts printed with powerful lyrics – “Invincible, Unbreakable, Unstoppable, Unshakable, I am the Champion” – they danced and sang with conviction. “First grade. I’m going to get in trouble for that one,” said staff member Brooke Williams when asked her favorite performance of the night.

The second graders brought a country vibe with cowboy hats and boots as they danced to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” a more advanced routine that had them turning to face each wall of the gym.

A wave of ’90s nostalgia followed with the third grade’s performance to the Backstreet Boys’ “Larger Than Life.” Dressed in white T-shirts decorated with bright felt shapes, the students rotated lines mid-dance so every student had a chance to be front and center.

The fourth grade took on the traditional Filipino Tinikling dance. Students rhythmically tapped poles while their classmates danced between them, carefully avoiding getting their feet caught.

Closing the show was the beloved fifth-grade tradition: the Braiding of the May Pole. With care and teamwork, students wove colorful ribbons around the pole in a criss-crossing pattern before being joined by special guests of their choice.

Principal Kelby Robison named the May Pole as his favorite part of the event.

“It’s neat to see them dance with the parents,” he said. When asked what he loves most about the tradition, he added, “Probably that there is so much support for it. I love that.”

The evening was a joyful celebration of tradition, teamwork, and creativity – a reflection of the strong school spirit at Perkins and the support of the wider Moapa Valley community.