Grab your partner at the Ho-Ho Hoedown

A snow day canceled the Turkey Trot square-dance competition late last month, but Canyon Park Junior High students wouldn't be denied their chance to do-si-do.

The event was rescheduled as the Ho-Ho Hoedown Dec. 17 in the school gym in Bothell. The public was invited and asked to bring canned food, with the collection benefiting families in King and Snohomish counties through Hopelink and the Maltby Food Bank, according to Paul Jensen, Canyon Park Junior High's health-and-fitness department head.

Canyon Park includes a square-dancing unit as part of its health-and-fitness curriculum. For about 2 1/2 weeks, students in grades seven through nine learn and practice square dancing during class.

"This activity is not only good exercise, but encourages and teaches social skills, coordination, teamwork and listening skills," Jensen said.

Professional square-dance caller, Dave Harry, leads the class and he is supported by the Canyon Park teaching staff. The 19-year program includes 710 of the school's total 792 students.

During the competition, an average of 40 squares, or 320 students, participated with much of the remaining student body watching from the bleachers.

Featured in the photos are: Rene Arriola, Claudia Gonzales, Katie Guard, Jessy Ha, caller Dave Harry, Zach Hill, Jordan Kussmann, Dylan Longman, Jessica Olason, Matthew Pittsford, Cameron Tomisser and Stephenie Spencer.

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