DUTCHTOWN — It looks like they’ve cut loose, footloose, in Ascension parish, especially at Dutchtown High with a dance off! Two high schools are posting their lunch time dance off of social media and creating a buzz.
It all started with Principal Barry Whittington‘s desire to bring joy and energy to Dutchtown High School in an unexpected way—through a weekly lunchtime dance party. Every Friday, the school’s lunchroom transforms into a dance floor, where students line dance and groove to tunes ranging from Taylor Swift hits to the iconic “Cupid Shuffle.”
The idea started on the first Friday of the school year, according to Whittington.
“It’s taken off every Friday since,” he said. “I started playing some old school music, stuff I liked. Then kids would come up and ask for different songs.”
Whittington shared that this initiative came after he and one of the assistant principals were looking for ways to boost student morale, especially in light of the new Louisiana law that prohibits students from using cell phones or smartwatches during school hours. Under the law, students must keep their devices in lockers or turn them off during instructional periods.
While the cell phone restriction could have sparked resistance, the dance parties have become a surprising hit. A video of the event was posted on social media and quickly went viral. The lack of phones has, in fact, encouraged students to join in without worrying about being recorded.
“The new cell phone law has helped foster a more relaxed environment,” Whittington explained. “With no one filming, students don’t feel the pressure of social media or the fear of embarrassing themselves online.”
He added, “We want to push them academically, but also have time to let our hair down, so to speak, and have fun during lunch.”
Whittington also emphasized the broader benefits of the cell phone ban. “I feel like there’s been somewhat of a calm over the school without the constant presence of phones. It seems like students aren’t as caught up in comparing themselves to what they see online, which reduces stress.”
He noted that issues like inappropriate technology use and social media conflicts have also lessened, contributing to a more positive atmosphere overall. While the cell phone usage has limited social media at school, the dancing video has turned up the heat. Just weeks after Dutchtown’s video went viral, another local High School decided to kick off their Sunday shoes.
St. Amant High School Responds
In a spirited response to a viral lunchtime dance video from nearby Dutchtown High School, students at St. Amant High have kicked off their own dance party tradition—fueling a friendly dance-off rivalry between the two schools.
Following the success of Dutchtown’s weekly Friday lunchroom dance sessions, St. Amant High saw an opportunity to turn the beat around. St. Amant students filled their campus with music and moves, posting a video of their dance party online. The video quickly caught fire, setting off what some are now calling a lunchtime dance challenge between the two schools.
This high school musical in Ascension could be the start of something new. Whittington, who is in his first year as principal at Dutchtown High, said that it’s more than fun and academic success, his goal is to strengthen community bonds.
“I want to build strong relationships within the Dutchtown community,” he said.
For now, it seems, the weekly dance party is helping to create a happier, more connected student body, on multiple campuses, one dance at a time.
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