Dance the Maypole

A.E. Kent Middle School celebrates 100 years.

Have you danced around the maypole lately? In May of 1952, Kent School fourth-grader Paula Daly (now Skov) finally got her chance to perform. “I’d been watching this colorful ritual since kindergarten,” writes Skov in a historical reflection for the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society, “and, after six weeks of practicing, my turn finally arrived.” According to her, only fourth-grade girls were taught the dance, which involved holding alternating red and white streamers and rotating clockwise around the maypole doing a “one together, one hop; two together, two hop routine … until you reached eight; then you reversed the process.” On May 3, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Kentfield-Greenbrae Historical Society will host Centennial Celebration, recognizing 100 years of what is now A.E. Kent Middle School. (The above photo shows a maypole celebration from 1909, before the school was constructed.) Among many events, current fifth-grade girls and boys will do the maypole dance, the school’s jazz combo will perform and In the Heart of Marin: The History of Kentfield and Greenbrae, California by Dewey Livingston (see inset) will be available for purchase. More information at kghs.org.