Abdul Thrills Students

Last updated Friday, November 16, 2007 9:49 AM CST in News

By Lana F. Flowers
THE MORNING NEWS

Abdul repeatedly paused to give hugs as a gaggle of shrieking girls broke out digital cameras and cell phones to snap a few shots with the celebrity before she left campus.

Abdul also gave a motivational speech and some dance tips to about 700 members of local schools' cheer, dance and pom squads.

The appearance was so under wraps that some Bentonville High School administrators did not know about Abdul's presence on campus until about 11 a.m.

Black construction paper blocked the narrow windows on doors to the school's main gym. Orange signs said "Gym closed all day. Do not enter."

That didn't stop some students from finding chinks in the construction paper and getting some digital shots of Abdul on their cell phones.

"It's crazy. I just found out today she was coming," said student Katy Compton, who said she was not related to Bentonville Superintendent Gary Compton.

Julie Vice, a Fayetteville High School student, said she could barely believe her eyes as she danced along with Abdul.

"At first, it's like, is she really here?" Vice said. "I think she's awesome."

Gary Compton said arrangements for Abdul to work with cheer and pom squads started a week ago, when school officials discovered Abdul would be in town.

Bentonville is headquarters to Wal-Mart, where celebrities often come to do business.

Compton said most of the time, those celebrities fly in, hold their meetings and are gone before people realize they were here, but the schools occasionally can tap into that talent.

Compton said he decided to open the event to other schools, so they would have the benefit of hearing and learning from someone who rose to fame through being a cheerleader and choreographer.

Abdul said she was pleased to work with cheerleaders, pom squads and dance teams.

"These are my roots. I've never forgotten my roots," said Abdul, who began as a Lakers girl before moving to MTV in the 1980s with hits like "Straight Up" to being the "nice" judge on "American Idol."

"I love working with these young girls because they are so inspiring to me," Abdul said.

She told the students this may not be the last time they see her at a local high school.

"I will be back. I will teach you, OK?" Abdul said. "I will teach you '50s dancing, '60s dancing, African dancing, everything you need to know. I want to hug everyone."

Abdul also advised the girls to keep track of their accomplishments, mistakes and rehearsals.

"All the things you accomplish along the way, document them, film them, keep a diary," Abdul said.

She also advised students to watch Bob Fosse movies, such as "All That Jazz," and actress Jennifer Beals' 1983 movie "Flashdance," about a welder with a ballet dream, and to pick up on more vintage moves.

Stormie Berry, a freshmen at Springdale's Central Junior High School, said she first heard Tuesday she'd get to learn choreography from Abdul.

"Wow. We were so happy," Berry said.

She seemed just as impressed with Abdul's speech as her dancing.

"If someone tells you that you have too much of something or not enough of something, don't let that stop you and keep following your dream," Berry said Abdul told students.

Web Watch

www.paulaabdul.com

www.bentonville.k12.ar.us

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