• Hobart dancing with the students.



         Students at Hobart High School learned how to make turns Wednesday, but it wasn't in driver's education.
         The school is offering ballroom dancing for students thanks to a $1,000 grant from the School City of Hobart's Educational Foundation.
         Fran Hamilton, the school's media center aide, started the program because she has a passion for ballroom dancing and wanted to pass that on to students.
         "I love the dancing and I love dancing with the students," Hamilton said. "They're good times."
         During the class Wednesday, students learned moves to the Hustle and practiced them with partners. They spent time learning the basic moves before they started practicing them to music.
         Hamilton also tried to make the dance a little more informal by having the students perform the steps to music by Michael Jackson.
         She said ballroom dancing has increased in popularity, and is something students will use throughout their lives.
         "I would like to see the kids come away with a solid knowledge of three or so dances," Hamilton said.
         Sophomore Jen Stewart, 15, agrees that ballroom dancing can be used for the rest of her life, but also enjoys it for other reasons.
         "It's just a fun hobby," Stewart said.
         She also enjoys learning the dances because it's a good way to exercise, she said.
         Sophomore Jake Somers, 15, said he already learned some ballroom dances from another teacher, and attends the classes to show the other students his moves.
         "It's a chance to show off," Somers said. "It's all about showing off."
         The group meets from 3 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday in the school cafeteria, and students will spend about five weeks learning one dance.
         All students are welcome to participate and no dancing experience is necessary, Hamilton said.



    Chas Reilly
    creilly@nwitimes.com
    219.762.1397 x 2223