Waco elementary school holds king and queen dance for students, continuing nearly 30-year tradition

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Some elementary school students who showed high character traits and solid leadership year-round were named kings and queens of a character dance which is a nearly 30-year tradition at South Waco Elementary School.

The dance took place just before the kids got out for summer break.

Since the mid 1990′s, South Waco Elementary School has had teachers and peers select one female and one male student from every classroom to be invited to a dance put on by the school.

Those students cannot have any office referrals for bad behavior during the school year.

The girls donned fancy dresses, while the boys were decked out in everything from suit and tie to slacks and top hats.

Lisa Ward is a teacher who has helped organize the dance for the last decade. She says the honor of being named a king or queen motivates students year-round.

“It just teaches the students that being respectful and responsible, following the rules, those things all help them to be better citizens and so we strive to get all of our kids to do that and it’s just an honor for them to be chosen as the top boy and girl from each class,” Ward said.

The students arrived at the dance to a red carpet.

One girl who attended said the party was everything she’d hoped for and more.

“I had a sparkly dress and before I arrived, I took pictures with my family and then I got to walk on the red carpet,” she smiled.

The honorees were then treated to dancing in the gym and this year they all received a plaque for their achievement.

“This year our assistant principal thought it would be a great idea to give plaques to the kids,” Ward said. “So, we went to Awards Specialty and had awards set up and the school purchased those awards, and they were given out the night of the presentation.”

The King and Queen Character Dance was started by former South Waco Elementary School Principal Norma Moon.

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