A towel becomes a surfboard for Mackinac Island dancers as they practice their routine to the 1963 hit song "Wipe Out." Dance instructor Jo Cooley (left) of Mackinaw City had the students ready to perform during halftime at home basketball games beginning December 4. Dancers practicing their moves Tuesday, November 10, are Mabel Styburski, Clara Chambers, Ava Sehoyan, Brooke' Lyne Holder, Brooke Dziobak, and Wyatt Morse. Six young Mackinac Island students rush to keep up, giggling all the while, as dance teacher Jo Cooley instructs them "step-clap, step-clap." The class, comprised of kindergarten and first grade students, is practicing a program to perform during halftime at home basketball games this season.

Teaching the energetic children is nothing new for Mrs. Cooley of Mackinaw City, who also works with students in Cheboygan and Petoskey. The former dance studio owner has a master's degree in dance from the University of Michigan. Her daughter, Ann Cooley, was a Radio City Rockette for 14 years and now is a choreographer and dance instructor in New York.

An interest in dance drew three students to learn the basics of ballet. Practicing Tuesday, November 10, are seventh grade student Dana Roguska (left) and eighth grade student Adrienne Rilenge. Missing from photograph is Kyra Kolatski, who is in the seventh grade. Unaware of their teacher's experience, the Island students are just excited about dancing. They race into the gymnasium as soon as the last class bell of the day rings. The extracurricular program is offered by the school's booster club.

"I just like it," said kindergarten student Clara Chambers. "We do a surfboard dance and we need a towel for it because we're going to pretend we're on a surfboard."

The first routine the children are learning is performed to the surfing song, "Wipe Out." A towel serves as a surfboard and the number is a big hit with the young dancers. They also enjoy donning sunglasses and acting cool at the end of the routine.

Also in kindergarten, Wyatt Morse agrees pretending a towel is a surfboard is fun and he already has shown the dance to his family.

"We jump off our surfboards," he said, and that is his favorite part.

For student Mabel Styburski, dancing, jumping in the water, and drying off are favorite parts of the routine.

Third grade student Brooke' Lyne Holder, the oldest of the group, has taken on a leadership role, becoming Ms. Cooley's assistant, helping to show steps and dance movements to the younger dancers.

Teaching the children basic dance steps so they can learn to control their movement and to pay attention is part of the process, said Ms. Cooley. Watching as students begin to remember the next steps and movement is rewarding, she said.

"The younger kids are fun," said Ms. Cooley, "if I can focus their attention. They start doing some movement that's exploratory and creative. They pay attention and they try to remember."

Students in the class include Mabel Styburski, Clara Chambers, Ava Sehoyan, Brooke' Lyne Holder, Brooke Dziobak, and Wyatt Morse.

Once they learn the "Wipe Out" routine, a new routine will be taught to the music "Start the Party." Approximately two minutes long, each routine will be performed at separate home games.

After an hour of practice, the music stops, towels are picked up, and the young dancers head home. As they leave, two girls dressed in tights, leotards, and ballet slippers enter the gymnasium. They take their places and respond as Ms. Cooley instructs, "Demi-pliÈ, relevÈ, grande pliÈ."

Ms. Cooley is teaching ballet to eighth grade girls Adrienne Rilenge and Dana Roguska. Seventh grade student Kyra Kolatski also is taking the class, but absent this day.

Miss Rilenge would like to attend Interlocken Arts Academy 0 and thought taking ballet would be a good background for theater work.

Miss Roguska said she wants to know more about ballet and is happy for the opportunity to take the class.

"I enjoy the older girls," said Ms. Cooley, "because all of a sudden they are very serious about it."