Class Note 2012. Hi, ’12s! I hope your summers are off to a great start! By the time this column hits your inboxes and mailboxes, you’ll probably be sitting poolside sipping a refreshing beverage or playing a game of sand volleyball (after a good stretch, of course) or corralling the kiddos at a sprawling amusement park. But just for a moment, let me take you back to a colder time—the second Sunday in February, better known as “Super Bowl Sunday.”
Let’s be real: This year’s game was a snooze fest. Neither team scored a touchdown until the fourth quarter, and though my sports opinions aren’t worth even a grain of salt, it felt like a particularly anticlimactic way to close out the pinnacle of postseason matchups. I’m confident, however, that we can all agree that Bad Bunny and his all-American halftime show saved Super Bowl LX! And one of our very own, Hector Lopez, danced in this year’s halftime show!
I caught up with Hector to chat about how he landed a spot in the “Benito Bowl.” The Sheba Dance Troupe alum shared that back-to-back auditions and callbacks had him living on planes between New York and L.A., spending 12-plus hours rehearsing on set, and sneaking in sleep whenever he could. He also noted that the all-female choreography team emphasized the importance of authentically representing Puerto Rican culture, even amid a blend of dance styles. As for Hector’s interactions with Bad Bunny? He had this to say: “There was never a moment when we [dancers] didn’t feel our worth.” The sheer delight he exuded while recounting the experience made it clear that he regretted nothing, though he is grateful to have restored a healthy sleep schedule. You can relive our favorite Nuyorican’s big moment by visiting his Instagram page, @hectorinvictuslopez.
And how cool was it that the couple on stage during Lady Gaga’s feature actually got married! Closer to our hearts, though, there’s another ’12 who will be ringing wedding bells next winter. Our queen of engineering, Natasha Herring, is engaged to King Houston! Natasha met King, a special education teacher, at an education conference in Denver, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. She writes that “he proposed on an unforgettable day in the most sweet and heartfelt way,” and they look forward to building their lives together. We can’t wait to celebrate your nuptials!
If you’ve got updates, we want to hear them! Write to me at 12.class.notes@gmail.com or, if you’re an analog enthusiast, send me a letter at the address below. Either way, we’d love to feature your achievements, milestones, family moments, unofficial class reunions, and more. Until next time, adiós!
—Michelle T. Domingue II, 8250 Georgia Ave., Apt. 409, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 12.class.notes@gmail.com