Football player can also work magic on the dance floor

Walking around the San Benito High School campus, you notice the
various sorts of cliques
– the cheerleaders, the jocks, the smart kids, the so-called
”
outcasts,
”
the substance abusers and all the other people who fall in
between.
Walking around the San Benito High School campus, you notice the various sorts of cliques – the cheerleaders, the jocks, the smart kids, the so-called “outcasts,” the substance abusers and all the other people who fall in between.

We, as normal human beings, have a tendency to judge people based on their appearance and social status. When I first saw senior Chris Stephens wearing his varsity football jersey, I thought to myself, “Oh, he’s a typical jock.” Little did I know Stephens has a love for something most football players would never admit to doing – dancing!

Stephens is the only football player enrolled in the high school’s dance course.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I had a football player in my class. He brings in a guy’s perspective,” said dance teacher and Dance Company adviser Mrs. McArdle, or Sensei as her students call her. “He also pushes people, especially other guys, to want to get involved and he sets a good example.”

“I’ve always liked dancing and learning new steps to certain dances. It also helps my flexibility and balance for football,” Stephens said.

Stephens is a second-year starting inside linebacker. What does his coach, Tod Thatcher, have to say about his other passion in life?

“Well (dancing) hasn’t helped his football, but the more students are involved, the better. Chris is a team player. He came from San Jose last year and has fit into our program really well. He is one of our senior leaders on the defensive side and has potential to make great plays every game,” Thatcher said.

Thatcher also let me in on a little secret – he would rather see Stephens go out for wrestling.

Stephens plans to try out for Dance Company, SBHS’ dance club, next semester and will be performing in next month’s dance concert with his partner, senior Amy Abbass.

“I think, at first, a lot of the girls felt timid in front of Chris and didn’t want to dance in front of him, but they have come to feel a lot more comfortable and confident dancing with him there,” Abbass said.

Stephens would like to see other football players join dance class. Now wouldn’t that be a sight? A whole bunch of huge, grunting football players in tights and jazz shoes – I would pay to see that!

Diana Padilla is a senior at San Benito High School. She is also the editor in chief of the school paper, The Baler.