Dance fever at Carbonaro

Students packed the Robert W. Carbonaro gymnasium from wall to wall, barely leaving any walking space. They were working up a sweat, and unlike other days, they were not playing sports.

Instead, the youngsters were tapping and twirling to many of today’s popular songs, and seemed to be enjoying every minute of it.

The dance fever was contagious. Their excitement kept growing during the school’s Ronald McDonald House Dance-A-Thon on May 19. Teachers, parents and more than 250 students joined in what was described as a “grooving” event for charity.

“Every year, teachers and staff come together and want to help,” said fourth-grade teacher Shannon Quinn, who organized the event. “It makes you feel proud.”

The Ronald McDonald House is a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children who are hospitalized. Quinn, along with a small group of 35 students and their families, began participating in the Ronald McDonald House walk-a-thon in New Hyde Park in 1998. A lot of participants could not get there back then, and a fundraiser was later moved to Carbonaro, Quinn explained.

Now, in its seventh year, the event is extremely popular. “The kids get involved and want to help other kids,” Quinn said.

The school sold snacks and raffles, with prizes ranging from a basket of perfume, to a George Foreman grill. Local businesses and parents donated items and gift certificates, and about 15 volunteers helped chaperone. Even South High School students, who attended Carbonaro in their elementary days, came back to help, including 10th-grader Kayla Neske. “I love coming back here and seeing everything,” she said.

Visitors watched as the students participated in a hula-hoop contest, which started off easy, but soon got more difficult. Each round’s finalists were asked to hula-hoop on one leg, and the last person standing from each grade and class got a T-shirt. The DJ pumped up the crowd, which was already full of energy.

“My favorite thing is the hula hoop contest,” said fifth-grader Katie Walsh. “We can win a Ronald McDonald Dance-A-Thon T-shirt.”

Fourth-grader Brandon Catanzaro, who raised the most money, $503, was very happy. “The dance is very good,” he said.

The other top fundraisers were first-grader Brandon Pierre at $460, and Alyssa and Breana Pellicane with about $260. More than $7,000 was raised, and will largely go toward registration fees for the walk-a-thon. “The event is an amazing way for our students to give back to others,” said Principal Dr. Lisa Conte.