Elementary Dancing with the Stars

My Elementary schools days were actually
Filled with very many fond and wonderful 
Memories. I attended Jefferson elementary
 In Grand Island, Nebraska. I know there 
Are a few of you out there that are familiar
With this school, or actually attended it. My
Fourth grade year was one of my most happiest
Ones. My teacher was Mrs. Lorensen. She had 
Some of my siblings for students and acted with 
Curiosity when I walked in the first time. But in
No time, I was her favorite pupil and the smartest.
(she had a way of making everyone feel this way)
I had my best friends T.J. Neihaus, Mike Kopistinski
And Bob Ruzekia. In my class. As you can see,
We lived in a mainly German and Polish town.
Anyway, one of the highlights of the fourth grade
Was learning how to Square Dance. We would start
At the first of the year and practiced all year long
And presented a presentation for the parents. This 
Was a big thing and was not taken lightly by any-
Body. My partner was Joyce Oxnard. Joyce was a
Pretty girl, and very athletic and could run faster
Than any boy in the fourth grade except for me
And Bob Ruzekia. She had long jet black hair, and
Sat right in front of me in class. I passed many 
Afternoons quietly running my fingers through
Her hair (she didn’t mind) oblivious to anything
The teacher was saying. We quickly became the 
Best dancers in the class. All year long we fine
Tuned our Do-si-Dos and Allemande Lefts and
Promenades for the big night. I was so proud that
Joyce and I were going to be dancing together. 
One week before the big night, Mrs. Lorensen
Called me up to her desk during study time. She 
Asked me to set down and listen. She asked me
If I would do her a favor, and I said of course,
After all I was her favorite student. She quietly
Explained to me that I was a nice boy and I 
Would not mind if she changed my dancing 
Partner. I was stunned. She explained that I 
Knew all the dances by heart and I could 
After all, dance with anybody. She told me
That my new partner was Beulah Krantz.
Yes, that was her real name. Beulah was 
A large girl, spoke with a slight lisp, and was
Very shy due to these conditions. I was
Always nice to Beulah, but I did not try to 
Make friends with her. As I look back, I 
Realize I pretty much went along with the 
Rest of the crowd and focused on the
Smart, pretty and popular. Mrs. Lorensen 
Explained that Beulah had a hard time 
Learning the dances, and was terrified she 
Would mess it up for the whole class. She 
Had come to her to ask if she could get out
Of dancing in front of the Parents. So Mrs.
Lorensen had the bright idea of putting her 
With me. Why me, I raged, I have the chance
Show off my skills in front of everybody,
But now I have to baby sit. 
That day we had our first practice in the 
Auditorium. Beulah came up to me and shyly
Said Hello. I was mad, but I didn’t want to 
Make her feel bad. Yes, she was a very bad 
Dancer, and I had my work cut out for me. I 
Didn’t think I could do it.
I went home that day and unloaded all my
Problems on my Mom. She sat there and listened
Quietly to my bruised ego and shattered 
Dreams of glory. After I was finished, Mom
Grabbed my hand and asked me what would
I want if the situation was reversed. She 
Explained how much better it is to give than
Receive. It was a hard sell to a 10 year old boy,
But I did understand it. But I didn’t want it.
The next day I found out that Beulah did not know 
What Mrs. Lorensen had done and thought
It just ”happened”. I slowly started to try 
Harder and soon was making progress. All
Week long we got better and better.
Soon the big night came. As we stood behind
The curtain waiting for the start I grabbed 
Beulah’s hand and she was trembling. I said,
“hey everything is gonna be alright”. She 
Started to cry, and I said hold on tight and we 
Would do this together.
The curtain opened and we began. We did,
As far as I can remember, everything right.
Upon finishing, the parents stood up and 
Cheered. They were smiling, the teachers 
Were smiling, the kids were smiling, I looked
At Beulah and she was crying. I said, why
Are you crying? We did everything Right!!
She said,” I know Pat, I know.
After 51 years it is still better to give than
Receive.