Dancing teachers take to the stage
NEWPORT BEACH — It was “Dancing with the Stars,” but instead of football players and reality-TV personalities, teachers took to the stage.
Newport Harbor High School’s theater was packed Tuesday night for the first-ever “Dancing with the Teachers” to benefit the school’s dance program. It was the first of two performances.
“I’m so proud of these guys for getting on this stage and doing what they are doing,” said Principal Michael Vossen, who also served as a judge.
Teachers showed their stuff in eight choreographed routines and performed with members of the dance team to try and win the audience’s vote for best dancer.
The prize? A mirrored-ball trophy.
Three judges —Vossen, ASB Secretary Emmy Mitchell and former student and varsity dancer Alicia Favela — were also on stage to share their input and score the routines.
The fourth performance, “Hips Don’t Lie,” with social studies teacher Bob Lear and dancers Grace Terry and Heidi Judge, was the judges’ favorite, racking up the highest score of the night.
Lear shook his hips to great applause and cheers from the audience.
“You seduced the audience,” said Favela of Lear’s performance. “Those booty pops! Those booty pops and shimmies!”
It was Spanish teacher Carlos Alcazar, though, who captured the audience’s heart and took the top spot and trophy for his performance of “Bottoms Up” with Roxy Crane and Rachel Jenkins.
Juniors Sarah Whitney, 16, and Mollie Friend, 16, who are in Alcazar’s Spanish class, voted for him.
“He just brought a lot of his spice that he brings to the classroom every day,” said Sarah.
Twitter: @britneyjbarnes
If you go
What: Newport Harbor High School’s “Dancing with the Teachers”
Where: Robert B. Wentz Theater, 600 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Cost: $10