One recent morning, the commons at Tahoma High School was filled with two out-of-the-ordinary things: the sounds of swing music and a crowd of fledgling dancers. 

Students in Martina Morgan's AP European History classes at Tahoma High School have the chance each year to get a firsthand glimpse of dances that were popular decades ago.

"It made sense to incorporate the dance steps of the swing and foxtrot for two reasons," Morgan said. "First, my sophomores have just completed the long journey in preparing and then taking their AP European History exam. In my opinion, my sophomores are the most hard-working group, taking on a tremendous challenge and committing themselves to the rigor of my course."

The other reason is the chance to use a different approach to a lesson, Morgan explained. She starts by showing her students the film "Swing Kids," which tells the tale of three German teenage boys in Nazi Germany whose love of music and dance challenges the state-mandated approach of entertainment, she said. The boys in the movie have to make decisions about their loyalty to the state, based on the consequences they will face.

"Students like the film as they have a rich historical background to understand the underlying currents discussed in the film, but what I really love, is how they tap their feet when hearing the music and seeing the dancing on the screen," Morgan said.

Adding the two-day unit on dance as a "breather" after the AP test came as a natural fit for Morgan, who was an amateur ballroom dancer after she was introduced to it during a P.E. class at Oregon State University.

"Why not share what I (am) passionate about with my students?" she asked. It's a great chance to incorporate physical activity into the curriculum and reach kinesthetic learners, Morgan added.

In the commons, Morgan began by dividing the students into two lines facing one another; she then demonstrated the single step and the triple step.

"It's so simple, it's silly. Follow my lead: Step, step, rock, step," Morgan said. The students were nervous, and giggling, but most were clearly enjoying themselves at the same time.

"I'm an expert!" one student joked. After having the class practice separately, Morgan paired the students up, turned on music and had them try the moves together. Then they moved on to combining triple steps with rock steps, turns and kicks. Later Morgan gave them a brief primer in the foxtrot.

Her enthusiasm seems to carry over to the students, even though a few called the dancing "terrifying" and "complicated."

"It was really fun and cool to experience how the swing dancers danced back in the '40s," sophomore Kiara Landon said, noting that learning about specific cultural examples was a nice change.

Classmate Zach Nett said he thought lessons like this one are important.

Carla Avila agreed: "It's just fun to learn less about strict politics and more about people's daily lives."

Morgan said she includes the unit each year because it's enjoyable and memorable.

"It is a great way to let go of the stress that they have been experiencing for many weeks and also, to connect with something they identify with: music and dance, important components in that stage of their life," she said. "I think it is a valuable way to mold a unique learning experience into an educational opportunity."

Tahoma High School teacher Martina Morgan shows students from her AP European History class how to do the basic step for the swing dance.

Tahoma students on THS track and field, soccer and baseball teams have been recognized for their excellent play this season.

Baseball awards for all league honors included:
First team: pitcher, Andrew Osterman; catcher, Conner Hargesheimer; first base, Ian Turner; shortstop, Henry Murphy; third base, Tyler Brazelton; outfield, Kyle Sherick
Second team: outfield, Asher Walker; utility player, Hunter Jenkins

Tahoma's soccer team received the following honors for the SPSL North division all-league teams:
First team, Cris Garfias, forward; Charlie Wilcox, midfielder; Alex Bailey, defender. 

Second team, Nate Mock, midfielder
Honorable mentions, Robbie Guyer, forward; Payton Trask, midfielder, Kasey Cowell, defender; Wesley McClure, defender.

Offensive/Defensive MVP: Cris Garfias

Track and field athletes Dezsmon Humphries and Ginny Mehl were recognized as SPSL field athletes of the year, and coaches Jeff Brady and Keith Eager as SPSL Northwest Division coaches of the year.

Three Tahoma students were also chosen to be featured in The Seattle Times' "Star Times" section: soccer forward Cris Garfias-Jolley, fastpitch infielder Delaney Nelson and fastpitch outfielder/pitcher Carley Nance.

Drama students earn mentions for "Oklahoma!"

Tahoma High School Drama students Gunar Peterson, senior, and Sam Bennett, junior, received mentions for their work in the recent play "Oklahoma!" in the 5th Avenue Awards honoring high school musical theatre, director Melissa Bean shared.

Peterson was nominated for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role as Will Parker, and Bennett received an honorable mention for "Best Leading Actor" for his role as Curly. The 5th Avenue Awards will be held on June 6. More than 119 musicals were in consideration at 95 schools in the state of Washington.