Foothill High senior Amira Albonni and English teacher James Garcia shimmied to Latin beats at Atomic Ballroom in Irvine earlier this week.
As Albonni came out of her turning series to grab Garcia for their opening, she burst out laughing as she realized that she had stumbled too far away to reach her partner.
"Be a robot and turn everything at once," instructor Jerry Jordan advised. "Turn your hips and shoulders together."
The two are part of "Dancing with the Teachers," a competition that pairs up five teachers with students to take on some ballroom challenges. Each class at Foothill High in Tustin will watch the routines and vote for their favorites on Tuesday. The top three will come back to the studio for swing dancing, and then another couple will be eliminated.
The finalists will strut their stuff at the school's Sadie Hawkins assembly March 14.
Sitting and observing, ASB adviser Kelly McQuown pointed to the corner of the room where senior Ricky Fuller and Spanish teacher Krista Whyte were practicing. She's putting her money on them as one of the finalists.
Why? "Because they're cheaters and both know how to dance," she said with a laugh.
Whyte has dabbled in salsa dance classes and also picked up some moves while in Spain. Fuller has performed with Broadway on Tour since he was 11, most recently appearing in "Aladdin" last year.
Fuller was so impressive that Jordan, who co-owns the studio, told him, "You're awesome. If you ever want a job, come here."
And this was before he saw Fuller's handstands and back handsprings, which will likely come in handy during the swing routine if the couple advances.
Albonni's experience is not quite as extensive. She said she had a year of ballet training that hasn't been helpful for this competition, but she and Garcia have put in extra practices. Garcia has even less dance experience than Albonni: None.
"I kind of begged him a lot" to enter, Albonni explained.
And luckily for Albonni, Garcia said he has trouble saying no to that kind of persistence.
Besides, knowing how to dance could come in handy.
"Girls really like to dance," Garcia said. "The high school guys doing this – their stock is going up every day."
The winning couple will split $200, a cash prize that was in part possible because Jordan donated private lessons to the group, Albonni said.
On the other side of the studio, instructor Rachel Pires was "going for funny" with Assistant Principal Diane Blackstone and freshman Johan Moreno. They toyed with ending their routine with Moreno on his knees and the assistant principal kicking him down and then flashing a sassy look.
Pires nodded with approval: "You can be angry in Latin, and it still works."
To see video and more photos, go to ocregister.com/extras.
