Written by Stacy Roibal // Graphic by Cooper Turman
On an evening in early September, freshman Colby Covalt taught fellow freshmen Corban Cherry and Denver Mitchell how to swing dance in their dorm. After learning the basics, they decided to go out to the front lawn to continue dancing.
“This is one of the most spontaneous things ever … we saw someone walking down this sidewalk and we were like, ‘Hey, do you want to swing dance?’ and they were like, ‘Yeah’” Mitchell said.
They started calling out to more people walking by and encouraged them to bring their friends the next night.
Cherry said his only dancing experience was when his sister took a cotillion class and taught him how to waltz. Mitchell said his experience with dancing was “literally none.”
Mitchell and Cherry continued to learn by watching videos and invited people throughout the day to come back and dance each night.
“A week later that Friday, we had 120 people,” Cherry said.
Sophomores Ella Smith and Laura Wilson have become regulars after being invited by Cherry and Mitchel. Smith said they approached her in the Charles White Dining Hall one day and encouraged her to come. Despite having no experience, Smith and Wilson decided to come out and learn and said they have really been enjoying the experience.
“It’s just really fun,” Smith said. “It’s fun to watch other people learn, too.”
Wilson agreed.
“Watching them [Mitchell and Cherry] attempt these crazy, ridiculous moves with other people who don’t know what they’re doing is a really good time,” she said.
Mitchell said his favorite swing dancing move is “the pretzel” and Cherry said his is “the flip.”
“It’s a good study break quite frankly,” Mitchell said.. “I’m a STEM major, so I really value this because it pulls me away from my homework for a bit and almost provides more energy than the rest I could potentially take,” Mitchell said.
People are regularly meeting at 10 p.m. on Tuesday nights to swing dance. For the latest updates on dates and times, check out their Instagram page @hu_countryswing.
