BLAINE, Minn. — In an age of TikTok dances, a group of teachers has gained their own fame through a tradition at Blaine High School. The group of three middle-aged men has been performing dance routines for 17 years.
Taking center stage at the winter pepfest: Stevel Drewlo, Kevin Overgaard, and Rob Nick.
The group has built up a reputation for their hilarious routines, but they took a break during what they call "COVID years." That changed this winter.
"We're back, baby!" Overgaard joked.
A new addition this year included a former student-turned-Blaine High School teacher, Megan Schuelein.
"They started this when I was a junior in high school," Schuelein said. "I remember exactly where I was sitting when they danced!"
It's a lot of work for the teachers who admitted to practicing at midnight on a Sunday this year. The tradition was born out of an idea to try and connect more with students. Overgaard says the self-deprecating dance moves help break down barriers and have created some bonds with students.
"Self-deprecating teacher stuff," Overgaard says, "the kids love it."
The dance has warranted support from the staff over the years, too.
"We usually get a good response from the teacher but one year we had a happy early retirement because that was pushing the envelope a little too far," Overgaard joked.
Music used in the routine has ranged from Jennifer Lopez, Prince, and today's number pop artist - Taylor Swift. The original choreographer of the first few routines was a BHS football player with a dance background, Nick Rusin. He joined the crew a few times, including in 2019.
The sparkly shorts worn year after year are homemade. Overgaard's mother sewed them for the teachers in 2007.
One of the routines massed nearly a million views on YouTube. You can watch the full 2024 routine in its entirety.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.