Semmes Middle School holds flash mob

SEMMES, Ala. (WALA) - Semmes Middle School held a flash mob today from noon to 1 p.m.

Wikipedia's website says, "a flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression."

Semmes Middle School media specialist Toni Morris said the school is using the event to promote reading.

"They've been reading amazingly well for the last two years," said Morris. "And our scores are going to beat everybody in the state of Alabama."

She said the kids have been practicing a choreographed dance for the event and sang "Tonight, Tonight," by Hot Chelle Rae with new lyrics, written by some students.

"So when they hear the song, the students, when they hear the song we had professionally recorded they go, 'I wrote that line,'" said Semmes Middle School Principal Brenda Shenesey.

Morris said about 1,700 kids were involved in the event.

Some of the students were enthused, others not so much.

And it didn't matter to some students, who couldn't even see, they just wanted to have fun.

"I think it was great, I think everybody did good, especially me," said Kaaliyah Echols, who is sight impaired.

"Everybody will see that keeping students involved and excited is the key to their learning," said Shenesey, "And anybody who can read well can learn anything."