"When we first introduced the class, there was some hesitation. But it has become quite the buzz. Everybody wants to be a part of it."
Malcolm White, Executive Director
Mississippi Arts Commission

In the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has struggled to regain its footing. The cities of Waveland and Bay St. Louis were practically eliminated, but today are slowly emerging from the ruins. As part of the recovery, the Mississippi Arts Commission is providing students in the Bay-Waveland School District with a unique, healthy and creative outlet: ballroom dancing.

Malcolm White, Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission and lifelong arts enthusiast, had the idea of promoting arts in the recovery effort on the Coast after reading a study on the impact of the arts and healthcare. The subjects of the study had a decrease in their blood pressure, were more engaged and became healthier overall due to the active integration of the arts into their lives.

"I had the idea of take two Andersons (Walter) and call me in the morning," he says. "I had never thought about art in terms of health and wellness before, but thought it could help promote recovery on the coast. Art has been a very valuable tool in the recovery process."

During a brainstorming session, White shared his vision of creating a health and wellness awareness program around the arts. He and the Arts Commission staff bounced several ideas off one another, and the suggestion of ballroom dancing was put on the table. With the popularity of the television reality show Dancing with the Stars, White felt certain that this combination of the arts and exercise would make a difference in the schools and the lives of the students.

With support from the school district's superintendent and the selection of Bay-Waveland Middle School's 6th Grade as pilot group, White applied for funding from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. Today, their vision of blending dance into the school curriculum is a reality.

The program covers ballroom dancing, health, wellness, nutrition and physical education. Everyone from the cafeteria workers, the school nurse and counselors are part of this total health education program.

"The kids love it," White says. "When we first introduced the class, there was some hesitation. But it has become quite the buzz. Everyone is clamoring to get into the class. Everybody wants to be a part of it."