Record-Breaking Del Rey Students Shake Their Hips

Hundreds of students got together on the Del Rey Elementary playground Monday morning to strive mightily — for a world record.

On the loudspeaker, Chris Brown sang "Let's Go." Some 402 students went for the "largest hula hoop workout" at the Orinda school.

"Any time you put your mind to it, see what you can achieve," said parent volunteer Eric Menke — father of first-grader Asher and third-grader Peyton. Menke said he expected to hear back from the Guinness Book of World Records folks in a couple of weeks after Del Rey sent to Guinness photos, video and affidavits attesting to the 402 students rocking it Monday.

"I think she (phys ed teacher Cheryl Collins) picked the song because it has power and movement," said student Hannah Biles. "The whole reason we did this was because of the idea that you can do anything if you put your mind to it."

"Just Mrs. Collins teaching us the routine, just to see everybody doing something together, very focused, was amazing," said student Lauren Nixon.

Theheld by Allen Elementary School in Hutchinson, Kan. The official count at Del Rey came from volunteers Lauren Blackham and Joan Pinto.

After Chris Brown and the loudspeaker went quiet, Collins used the occasion to lead the students in singing, "Happy Birthday" to fifth-grade teacher John Moran.

Collins had been working with individual gym classes on the steps and hula hip shakes for more than a month. And it all paid off Monday.