Pelham Students Win Ballroom Dancing Trophy

Students in the Hutchinson School Ballroom Dancing Team in Pelham won the grand prize trophy Sunday, June 23, at the Dancing Classrooms 2012-13 Finals in New York City.

Principal Carla D. Tarazi said all fifth graders at the Hutchinson School participate in the Dancing Classroom Ballroom Dancing program funded by the PTA during the year.

She said each team consists of six dance partners and they are required to know the Swing, Fox Trot, Tango, Rumba and Merengue.

Over 200 schools participate in the New York City Ballroom Dancing program during the year, Tarazi said. The gold medal winners of the fall, winter and spring programs meet in June to crown one team the Grand Finale winner.

"This year it was the Hutchinson School," she said. "We are so proud of the Emerald Team. They represented themselves and their school well."

Tarazi said there is dance practice at least three afternoon after school, as well as some weekend practices. In addition, students must keep up their homework and classwork.

Directors of the program are classroom teachers Jackie Soccodato, who is a professional dancer, and Maureen Morrissey. They work closely with Ivelisse Hornyak, the teacher from Dancing Classrooms, Tarazi said.
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Pictured in the photo are back row, left to right, Ms. Morrissey, Justin Woodward, Joel Hawthorne, Isabelle Anderson, Nicholas Cruz, Daly Walsh, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Christian Marciano, Ms. Soccodato, Tyra Santos, Alexandra Marriott, and Ms. Ivelisse Hornyak, Instructor. Front row, left to right: Samantha Suazo, Briana Crespo and Jonathan Harris.