McNeal Elementary goes Hawaiian style

Fall dance takes on luau theme.

  • By Pam Eubanks
  • | 10:27 p.m. November 2, 2018
  • East County
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Dressed in a green grass skirt and layers of leis, 6-year-old Nahla Vlasak put her hands in the air and did a hula dance.

It wasn't Hawaiian music playing, but it didn't matter. Nahla was excited about Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School's luau-themed fall dance Nov. 2. She learned the hula because she and her family plan to go to Hawaii in 2019.

"We're going next year for our 20th wedding anniversary," Nahla's mother, Jackie, said. Nahla will join her parents, Jackie and Dion, and siblings, Sophia, Halley and Matt. 

Until then, she'll enjoy wearing the leis and grass skirt they bought for the dance.

Dozens of families enjoyed snacks, dancing, the limbo and socializing in the school's cafeteria.

Kindergartners Riley Patterson and Molly Burgess like to dance.
Kindergartners Riley Patterson and Molly Burgess like to dance.
Sara Talamas and Ella Fuschetto, both 6, are in first grade.
Sara Talamas and Ella Fuschetto, both 6, are in first grade.
Six-year-old Kylee Owens, pictured with her mother, Stephanie Owens, liked doing the limbo.
Six-year-old Kylee Owens, pictured with her mother, Stephanie Owens, liked doing the limbo.
Katie Wehmeyer, 7, practices the hula hoop at home. She learned how to do it at school.
Katie Wehmeyer, 7, practices the hula hoop at home. She learned how to do it at school.
Nahla Vlasak knows how to hula dance.
Nahla Vlasak knows how to hula dance.
Second-grader Ella Dyer dances to
Second-grader Ella Dyer dances to "Watch Me."
Francesca Gnad and Courtney Flesche played at Miss Manatee Softball together.
Francesca Gnad and Courtney Flesche played at Miss Manatee Softball together.
Caroline Bradley, 7, likes to dance with her hula hoop in hand.
Caroline Bradley, 7, likes to dance with her hula hoop in hand.
Jude Ardanas hangs out with friend, Lukas Nantes and Lukas' brother, Sebastian Nantes.
Jude Ardanas hangs out with friend, Lukas Nantes and Lukas' brother, Sebastian Nantes.
Third-grader Charlie Lloyd, 8, dances the
Third-grader Charlie Lloyd, 8, dances the "Chicken Dance."
Fifth-graders Mia McGuire and Isabelle Jacobson dance to the
Fifth-graders Mia McGuire and Isabelle Jacobson dance to the "Chicken Dance." They have been friends since second grade.

 

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