Dancing with the Star—The General
George Washington loved to dance. “In fact, he paid for his own dance lessons so he would be competent and confident on the dance floor. As noted by historian Edward Lengel, ‘Dancing grew to become one of Washington’s favorite pastimes, and his skill in the ballroom. . . made him a welcome guest in the homes of politically influential neighbors (Rees, pg. 20).’” “During the Revolutionary War, Washington apparently danced with Kitty Greene, the wife of General Nathanael Greene, for three hours straight. When he was president, Mrs. Washington sometimes had to greet guests at the door because there was a queue of ladies waiting for a pin around the dance floor with her husband (Rees, pg. 93).” Thomas Jefferson once said that Washington was the “best dancer in Virginia.” Imagine the connection I saw when I walked into Millwood Schools and saw fifth grade students doing the Fox Trot, the Cha Cha, and the Quick Step! The students have been learning to dance for the past few months and are going to a competition this weekend. The General will not be in attendance, but I know he would have loved it!
Quotes taken from George Washington Leadership Lessons by James C. Rees
