Stonewall H.S. teachers thrill students at pep rally

The students "went crazy."

That's how Jessica Hruska, science teacher at Stonewall Jackson High School, described a dance the teachers, administration and guidance counselors gamely performed from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at a pep rally last Friday.

She added: "I was really excited about the number of faculty who participated in the dance. It shows how much the Stonewall faculty truly care about their students."

In keeping with the "Night of Fright" - the theme of the pep rally - participants in the "Thriller" dance were all dressed as zombies.

Adding to the show, Principal Richard Nichols came out at the end dressed as Jackson, giving a Michael spin and scream.

"I was very reluctant to dance in front of 2,000 students, but when I heard their cheers of support and enjoyment, I was pleased that we brought so many smiles to their faces. One of my students said we were the best part of the pep rally and that Mr. Nichols was the coolest," said Heidi Summers, a science teacher at Stonewall.

Other observations by the teachers included:

• "I know I made a few mistakes, but it was in keeping with the zombie role. They are not known for agility or higher level thinking skills." - Patricia Petry, history teacher.

• "I think we [the faculty] get just as excited as the kids and I love to see their reaction when we come out on the floor." - Terri Snoots, director of guidance.

• "I had the best time performing for the kids. It gives the students a chance to see us support them outside of the classroom and have fun doing it. I think the kids really responded well to our Thriller dance and I hope that our faculty dance team gets a chance to perform again in the future." - Lisa Stafford, foreign language teacher.

•  "Being a part of the Thriller dance team was such a blast! It's not every day you can come to work and make a complete fool of yourself and it's OK. It was a great stress reliever and the kids loved it." - Shavon Gee, Spanish teacher.

• "The students loved it. They told me it really showed them that the teachers are really committed to them and our school." - Terri Carson, business educator.

The performance was a surprise to the students who packed the gym for the rally. The teachers came out from the four corners of the gym and then performed at mid-court as the students clapped in encourage-ment.

Student Stephanie Barbour, a member of the step team at the school, said, "Our teachers at Stonewall have more school spirit than other schools. They stole the show."

Other quotes from students include:

• "It was vicious! I didn't know my teachers could dance like that!" - Mina Vahdati, grade 12.

•  "It was the most awesome thing ever!" - Erica Preston, grade 11.

•  "It was hilarious!" - Aayush Kharel, grade 11.

•  "Mr. Green was the best dancer!" - Hearie Lee, grade 11.

•  "At the beginning, I was so shocked I could hardly think straight. Every 10 seconds I was scream-ing because I realized that another one of my teachers was dancing. Some of them got so into it, I just couldn't believe it. I was screaming and jumping around so much that the kid next to me was excep-tionally annoyed, but I didn't care. When Mr. Nichols jumped out, tears welled up in my eyes. I was laughing and crying because it was possibly the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life." - Samantha Gaither, grade 12.

• "I thought it was hilarious to see all of my favorite teachers out on the floor dancing. They did a great job. I loved how Mr. Nichols jumped out at the end." - Tia Arnold, grade 12.

• "I never knew the teachers could dance so good, and it was awesome!" -  Tasha Salinas, grade 12.

•  "I didn't know our teachers could move like that! I thought it was great that they got to-gether and did something like that for us." - Emily Wray, grade 12.

•  "Out of all my years in high school, this was one of the best pep rallies I've ever seen." - Ricky Lozano, grade 11.

The other teachers who performed included Kim Carter, Joan Demby, Bobby Donaldson, Maureen Ellis, Jacquie Fox-Good, Elmo Green, Yasmine Griffin, Stephanie Nash, Betsy Orndoff-Sayers, Patty Petri, Asha Sethi, Bobbi Scott, Carey Shenal, Faye Sledge, Rich Smith, Cathy Mercer, Brenda Toevs, Roxie King, Cathy Phillips and Debra Williams.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.