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What does it take to get boys to dance with girls? The after school program at Tompkins Elementary School.

On March 13, kindergarten through fifth grade students who participate in the after school program performed the Ballet Folklórico for smiling parents and guests. This was the culmination of several weeks of practice under the tutelage of Dago Rodríguez, a local teacher of this dance form, and Nora Ordoñez, one of his students. Together, Sr. Dagoberto Rodríguez and Sra. Ordoñez went twice weekly after school to Tompkins to teach the children the intricate dance steps.

“The boys were shy at first. But when I brought the colorful skirts for the girls to try on, not only did the girls get excited, but the boys started running toward me and saying they wanted to dance also!” Sra. Ordoñez laughed. “We did this for the children for exercise and fun,” she explained. “And we want to continue a beautiful tradition from Mexico.”

There are 32 states in Mexico, each state having two or three distinct costumes as well as unique dance steps. The Tompkins students learned the dance steps from Guadalajara, Jalisco. The instructor, Sr. Rodríguez, studied dance in Mexico and graduated with a diploma as a dancer and teacher in ballet folklórico. He's been teaching dance in Tehachapi for the past 14 years. His student and assistant, Sra. Ordoñez, loved to watch her sister dance the ballet folklórico in Mexico but didn't begin taking lessons in this dance style until Sr. Rodríguez began offering classes through the TVRPD last year.

“The costumes really got the children excited,” said Sra. Ordoñez. The costumes for ballet folklórico are typically very colorful and vibrant, reflecting the rich Mexican heritage. Sra. Ordoñez made all the arrangements to locate or purchase the costumes for use by the children.

“¡Muy bueno y muy excelente!” commented Liz Hartgrove, District Community Liaison. “And that's about all the Spanish I know, but these kids were truly amazing. And they had so much fun.” she added. “This is exactly what we want for the after school program besides tutoring and homework. We want rich, diverse experiences for these students.”

The children will be performing once again for the entire Tompkins student body at an upcoming assembly. Next on the after school program agenda: photography, martial arts, and folk singing to name just a few activities.