Lanier County High Spanish Class Shines in Cinco de Mayo Talent Show with Latin Dance Performance
By Carol A. Gasser Moore
LAKELAND, Lanier County, Georgia – The sounds of vibrant Latin rhythms echoed through the auditorium at Lanier County High School on the evening of Monday, May 5, as students from Mrs. Kim Rampley’s Spanish class lit up the stage with a lively Latin dance performance during the Cinco de Mayo Talent Show—a highlight of the school’s spring calendar.
Behind the scenes of the energetic performance is Mrs. Jennifer Lopez, a dedicated local police officer and volunteer dance educator, who has spent the past two years volunteering her time to teach Latin dance to students in the school’s Spanish program. Her passion for dance and cultural enrichment has added a new and exciting dimension to language learning at the high school.
Lopez has indicated that “it’s about more than just the steps. Dance helps bring the language and culture to life for these students. It builds confidence, teamwork, and appreciation for Hispanic heritage.”
Delayed Start, Strong Finish
This year’s preparations were delayed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, which impacted school facilities in the fall of 2024. Without adequate space to practice, the dance program faced setbacks. Due to weather related repairs, practice space for the dance program’s rehearsals did not fully become available until the Christmas holidays. In the past, students have learned dance after school much earlier in the school year.
Now that its over, students are sad that they can’t keep dancing together after school until next school year. “We love having our very own ‘J Lo’ and dancing,” is a common statement heard from students who are in the dance program. “They worked diligently to prepare for the May recital,” said Kim Rampley. “Their dedication paid off, as their performance became a crowd favorite at the talent show, drawing cheers from peers, staff, and parents alike.”
A Community Effort Across Campuses
What began as an after school Spanish class enrichment activity has grown into a broader community program. The dance classes, led by Lopez, are open to students from both Lanier County High and Middle Schools, as well as staff members across the entire Lanier County School System.
“We’ve loved having everyone get involved,” Lopez said. “It’s been amazing to see how dance has brought people together.”
Looking Ahead to Atlanta Competition
With the success of this year’s recital behind them, the group is now setting their sights on a larger stage. Plans are already underway for the Lanier County dance students to participate in a regional Latin dance competition in Atlanta, tentatively scheduled for March 2026.
Preparations will begin again this fall, and Lopez and Rampley hope to grow participation and community support for the program as it expands.
A Celebration of Culture and Talent
The Latin dance segment at the Cinco de Mayo Talent Show not only celebrated artistic expression but also deepened students’ connection to the Spanish language and culture—a goal central to Mrs. Rampley’s and Mrs. Lopez’s shared cultural teaching philosophy.
“This is about education through experience,” Rampley said. “When students feel the music, move with purpose, and share their work with the community, they’re learning in a way that sticks with them forever.”
For more information about the Lanier County Schools Latin Dance Program or to inquire about joining future sessions, interested students and staff may contact Lanier County High School directly. Community members are encouraged to support the group’s journey to Atlanta and beyond.
A portion of the Talent Show can be viewed at:
