Gaining traction among students, the new Ballroom Dancing Club is picking up steam after its first meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12 in the history commons.
“It was my idea actually,” sophomore Jackie Blasini said. “I had been taking lessons over the summer, with a family friend, and I had interest because my mom had taught me a few steps when I was younger. I wanted to take my dancing to the next level.”
Blasini is the founder, president and treasurer of this growing club. Members of the club are taught by a professional ballroom dancing coach as well as his partner, who is also a family friend of Blasini’s.
“They know what they are doing,” sponsor of the group Lori Turnage said. “We have an instructor coming in and showing the students how the dance steps are done.”
Turnage applauds the organization of the meetings.
“It’s just a really well-run machine, so the kids can really learn something,” Turnage said.
Blasini had the idea to ask Turnage to be the sponsor of the club after reading about her experience competing in ballroom dancing in the newspaper last year.
Turnage said that students will be able to quickly pick up on steps like she did and advance their abilities.
“It’s just learning one thing at a time, and it builds,” Turnage said. “Eventually you’re able to perform a really well-crafted dance that you can take out onto the dance floor.”
The first meeting had a turnout of 14 students from the school but only three boys. Foreseeing the lack of male interest in the club, the instructors invited four high school boys from Blasini’s church to attend and act as extras partners.
“I would definitely like to see more members so we don’t just have to bring in guys from different schools,” sophomore member Alexis Morkisz said.
Blasini set up the club,not just to help out aspiring dancers but also as part of a service project her church does.
“In my church we have this thing called ‘Personal Progress,’” Blasini said. “It’s separate values where there are experiences and projects you do to pass them. The projects are 10 hours long, and you have to do something in your life to develop those values.”
Blasini had the idea to start the club last year, so she is relieved that her efforts are finally paying off.
Blasini and the other members of this new club hope to see the club flourish in the coming months, encouraging as many people as possible to join no matter the dancing ability.
“There’s really nothing to be intimidated by,” Turnage said. “If you can walk, you can dance, really.”

Sophomore Jackie Blasini and one of the volunteer students from Ladue practice steps for the salsa at the first meeting of ballroom dancing club on Nov. 12. Both had little to no experience ballroom dancing prior to the first meeting.