The Charleston Comes to Craft

Spectators and performers alike filled the Craft Theater on Friday, Feb. 9 for Robert Lavelanet’s Charleston Off. His U.S. History and Geography classes watched a video demonstration of the dance, which originated in the 1920s, and were then challenged to compete against each other for extra credit.

“I wasn’t planning to participate,” Malcolm London said. “And I didn’t practice for it because I wasn’t planning to participate, but then he told us we could get points for it and I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll do it.’”

Despite his initial reservations, London, along with his last-minute partner Mia Fletcher, won the dance-off, as Judith DeWoskin (guest judge) awarded the top prize: Lavelanet’s homemade banana pudding.

“The only pressure on me is that I wanted everybody to win,” DeWoskin said. “And I love the fact that everybody did this and had so much fun doing it.”

She determined the winners based on the Charleston’s signature step, in which “you twist your toes and swivel.”

The event was a callback to Lavelanet’s days as a student teacher alongside DeWoskin, when they would teach the Charleston during their reading of “The Great Gatsby.”

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About the Contributors

Morgan McClease, Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Morgan McClease is a senior and is entering her 4th year on staff and 2nd year as a social media EIC. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching really bad 2000s TV shows and movies. When not at school you can find her at the dance studio or working at Sweetwaters making all kinds of drinks, her personal favorite is an apple cinnamon oat milk latte. She is very excited for her final year on staff and can't wait to see what is in store for The Communicator!

Ruth Shikanov, Print Editor-in-Chief

This is Ruth's seventh semester on staff and first year as one of the Print Editors-in-Chief. You can typically find her commuting between her classes or doing homework, but in her free time, Ruth enjoys being outside, walking her dog, Juno, reading, going on runs near Bandemer and trying new recipes. She cannot wait for all of the amazing work that will be created in Room 300!

Jacqueline Boynton, Journalist

Jacqueline Boynton is a junior at Community and in her first semester on staff. Though it's her first semester on the Communicator last year she was a social media editor for The Midnight Sun. She likes doing theater, singing and traveling during her free time. She loves musicals and traveling to her favorite place, Chicago.