On Friday, June 13, 2008, Shadow Hills Elementary School held its annual Country Hoedown, a production by the third grade teachers and their students.  After weeks of rehearsal, the students in Mr. Camp's, Mrs. Gane's, Ms. Caney's, and Mrs. Quinto's classes were ready to unleash their singing and dancing talents on their fellow students and parents.

Principal Frank Donahue welcomed everyone to the Hoedown and introduced retired teacher Carole Arostegui who was seated in the audience.  It was through her efforts over ten years ago that Shadow Hills began this school tradition.

Teacher Virgil Camp led the fifth grade students in several songs, including "Billy Boy," "Lone Star Trail," and a special rendition of "Long Tall Texan" that included some expressive hand motions to enhance the musical performance.  After the singing, the students began "do-si-doing" and "Allemande lefting" around the floor.  In between song and dance numbers, student narrators gave the audience an overview of the history of song and dance in the culture of the American west.  After the performances, the third graders and their guests sat down to a cowboy luncheon.

The Hoedown is a dearly held tradition to the staff and students at Shadow Hills Elementary School.  The younger students at the school enjoy watching it every year and look forward to the day when it will be their turn to take center stage and perform, while older students look back fondly to when it was their time to swing their partner and promenade home.

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