Fancy footwork at Kennedy fundraiser

Students at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District were ready to dance on Oct. 30 as the Culture Club and Key Club jointly hosted a Zumba fundraiser for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

More than 200 students shook and shimmied to instructor-led Zumba music. They also learned some salsa and bachata dance moves at the event that featured students wearing “Baila Con Puerto Rico” (Dance with Puerto Rico) T-shirts.

Students from the school’s C.H.A.M.P. (Culinary and Hospitality Applied Management Program) and Culture Club prepared and sold authentic Hispanic fare at the fundraiser. Other groups donated water and Gatorade.

“We wanted to help Puerto Rico after the aftermath of Hurricane Maria,” said Franca Fiorentino, Culture Club adviser. 

The event, along with a bake sale hosted by Kristy Faulkner’s AP Macro class, raised more than $3,200 for the Hispanic Federation.

Photo captions:

1. Key Club Vice President Arielle Pasternak (left) and Editor Sidra Naheed volunteered at the ticket booth to check participants in to the Kennedy Zumba fundraiser.
2. From left, seniors Harley Ginsberg, Mackenna Honigfeld, Julia Rosenberg, Skylar Cohen and Joely Fishman got ready to move to the music at the Kennedy Zumba fundraiser to benefit hurricane victims.
3. Key Club members hung promotional banners ahead of the Zumba fundraiser for hurricane victims, which was held in the Kennedy gymnasium.
4. Jessica Chilton, the Kennedy Key Club adviser, assisted with Zumba moves at the Zumba fundraiser for hurricane victims.
5. Students danced at the Zumba fundraiser for hurricane victims hosted by various clubs at Kennedy High School.

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District