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PITTSBURG —
You don’t often see respectable elementary school teachers dressed like refugees from the 1960s, or pious Catholic priests cutting dance moves.
In fact, it only happens once a year, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Dance Crew, a dance competition that brings in students and teachers at St. Mary’s Colgan Schools, parish members and yes, even the priests.
The third annual Dance Crew was held Saturday in the St. Mary’s Colgan Fieldhouse. Proceeds from the event fund parish youth activities, according to Janice Dellasega, an organizer of the event. Those activities include weekly groups, retreats, attending Catholic youth conferences and a mission trip to the West Appalachians during spring break.
“My daughter, Abby, came up with the idea,” Dellasega said. “The main point is the fun, just the joy of it. We want to involve the whole parish. It’s not a real serious dance competition.”
She said that the crowd has increased every year.
“I think this year is the biggest crowd we’ve had,” Dellasega said.
Serving as host was Pat Cedeno, who wore a series of sports uniforms during the show. Judges were Tony Sanchez, SMC coach Chuck Smith and Kim Fowler.
The evening opened with a special performance by the preschool youngsters, who danced to “Flying Purple People Eater.”
“These guys are so good that they aren’t even in the competition,” Cedeno told the audience.
The five acts competing were “Detainment Entertainment” and “The Angry Birds,” both SMC student groups; “Dancing Queens,” composed of St. Mary’s Colgan Elementary School teachers and staff; “That Man Is You,” a parish men’s group; and “Infallible,” composed of Fr. Mike Baldwin, Fr. Chad Arnold and Fr. Adam Keiter.
Each group had to make a video, do a dance routine, make a poster and do a cheer.
This year, the judges chose to recognize all groups. “Detention Entertainment” was voted the most enthusiastic group, and the “Dancing Queens” were named the best dancing teachers in Kansas. “Angry Birds” scored for the most creative use of technology, and “This Man Is You,” which performed to music from “Monky Business,” got the Top Banana award.
The priests received individual awards, a dancing slipper for Fr. Baldwin, a journal to write down great ideas for Fr. Keiter and a mirror for Fr. Arnold.
Grand champions were the “Dancing Queens,” who wore tie-dye T-shirts, long-haired wigs and peace symbols.
“Our first year we were zombies in ‘Thriller,’ and last year we were nuns,” said Donna Landrith, one of the queens.
She said that the group had been working on their act and practicing for the past three weeks.
“It’s for a great cause,” Landrith said. “We all do what we do because we love the kids. We show them our love in school every day, and this is just another way to do it.”
You don’t often see respectable elementary school teachers dressed like refugees from the 1960s, or pious Catholic priests cutting dance moves.
In fact, it only happens once a year, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Dance Crew, a dance competition that brings in students and teachers at St. Mary’s Colgan Schools, parish members and yes, even the priests.
The third annual Dance Crew was held Saturday in the St. Mary’s Colgan Fieldhouse. Proceeds from the event fund parish youth activities, according to Janice Dellasega, an organizer of the event. Those activities include weekly groups, retreats, attending Catholic youth conferences and a mission trip to the West Appalachians during spring break.
“My daughter, Abby, came up with the idea,” Dellasega said. “The main point is the fun, just the joy of it. We want to involve the whole parish. It’s not a real serious dance competition.”
She said that the crowd has increased every year.
“I think this year is the biggest crowd we’ve had,” Dellasega said.
Serving as host was Pat Cedeno, who wore a series of sports uniforms during the show. Judges were Tony Sanchez, SMC coach Chuck Smith and Kim Fowler.
The evening opened with a special performance by the preschool youngsters, who danced to “Flying Purple People Eater.”
“These guys are so good that they aren’t even in the competition,” Cedeno told the audience.
The five acts competing were “Detainment Entertainment” and “The Angry Birds,” both SMC student groups; “Dancing Queens,” composed of St. Mary’s Colgan Elementary School teachers and staff; “That Man Is You,” a parish men’s group; and “Infallible,” composed of Fr. Mike Baldwin, Fr. Chad Arnold and Fr. Adam Keiter.
Each group had to make a video, do a dance routine, make a poster and do a cheer.
This year, the judges chose to recognize all groups. “Detention Entertainment” was voted the most enthusiastic group, and the “Dancing Queens” were named the best dancing teachers in Kansas. “Angry Birds” scored for the most creative use of technology, and “This Man Is You,” which performed to music from “Monky Business,” got the Top Banana award.
The priests received individual awards, a dancing slipper for Fr. Baldwin, a journal to write down great ideas for Fr. Keiter and a mirror for Fr. Arnold.
Grand champions were the “Dancing Queens,” who wore tie-dye T-shirts, long-haired wigs and peace symbols.
“Our first year we were zombies in ‘Thriller,’ and last year we were nuns,” said Donna Landrith, one of the queens.
She said that the group had been working on their act and practicing for the past three weeks.
“It’s for a great cause,” Landrith said. “We all do what we do because we love the kids. We show them our love in school every day, and this is just another way to do it.”
