Dancing with the Stars Comes to Anne M. Dorner Middle School

Colorful costumes, emotional judges, cheering fans and a real life celebrity could all be seen at Anne M. Dorner Middle School’s third annual Dancing with the Staff event Friday.

During the second of three assemblies, students were treated to performances by such dance crews as The Tech Ladies, Party Starters and P.E. Teachers, dancing to popular songs like Bruno Mars’ Treasure and Pharrell Williams’ Happy. Not to be outdone by popular dance competitions on television, AMD had three commentators for every performance.

After The Tech Ladies performed a hip-hop style routine wearing neon colored headbands, shirts and pants, commentator Frank Candullo, a social studies teacher, said “I was blinded by the light.” And special education teacher Lisa Margolis said “That was so hot. I need my sunglasses.”

Teacher Aide Richard Bastar sang and led the Party Starters in a dance that included salsa moves, leading Margolis to comment “I felt like I was at the Grammys.” Three teachers also performed a traditional Ecuadorian dance, wearing colorful traditional costumes of long red, green and yellow skirts and sombreros.

Throughout the assembly, students clapped, cheered and sang along to some of the music. The show-stopper was saved for last: alum Wadi Jones, who has appeared on the television show So You Think You Can Dance, performed with the school’s administrators and finished up the show with an amazing display of his breakdancing skills – including dancing up a wall and ending with a back flip.

Student leaders Victoria Andrews, MacKenzie Boatman, Victoria Conzone, Katie Kress and D’Shaya James helped plan the event along with administrators.

“People get more excited about this event every year,” said Katie.

“It has gone from just a couple of dancers to a whole hour of performances in the three years that we have been doing this,” said Victoria Andrews. “It is really a lot of fun.”

Victoria Conzone said “people come to school in Ossining colors on Dancing with the Stars day. It definitely helps school spirit.”

Vice Principal Stephen Hancock who served as emcee along with teaching assistant Allison Dunkley said “It was a great event. The kids love it and it brings the students, staff and administrators together in a very positive way.”

Dancing With the Staff is the final event in a yearlong, school-wide effort to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Students and staff have been collecting spare change throughout the year as part of the “Pennies for Patients” fundraising drive. In all, the students raised more than $2,000.

The following students participated in Dancing with the Staff: (Sixth grade): Emelia Sikorsky, Kylee Taxiera, Jordyn Bruckner; (Seventh grade): Dylan Rivie, Tendai Nyoni, Brandon Raysor, Noah Jefferson ,Patrick Saint Ange, Raymond Jennings; (Eighth grade): Katie Kress, Victoria Canzone, Rachel Seiden, Kailee Ingegneri,  and Melanie Lattin.

The following teachers and staff members participated: (teachers): Iris Lopez-Rivie, Luis Garcia, Vilma Molina, Richard Bastar, Lauren Riccardi, Katie Poleski, Bill Nugent, Amanda DiBari, Maria Levine, Jessica Zhinin, Maribel Carchi, Mercy Aviles, Russell Rainey, Michael Casey, Allison Dunkley, Tracy DeFreitas, Sapphire Drill Team, Makenzi Rose, Alexzis Brown, Akani Williams and Cheyenne Gonzalez.

The following administrators participated: Regina Cellio, Erica Naughton, Fran Jacobson and Stephen Hancock.