See why this 93-year-old Wisconsin woman has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records
GAYLE WORLAND
Updated
Betty Hayes-Baxter, 93, of Avoca, has taught dance since 1947 and has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-ever dance teacher
The walls of Betty Hayes-Baxter’s dance studio are covered with souvenirs of her long career — dozens of recital pictures, award plaques, even posters for her grandson’s teen band for Disney Music Group, the R5.
Betty Hayes-Baxter, 93, has taught dance in Grant County since 1947. Her career was recently recognized as the world's longest by Guinness World Records.
A young dance student heads to class held in the basement studio of Hayes-Baxter's home in Avoca. The studio is filled with mementos of her nearly eight-decade teaching career.
Betty Hayes-Baxter observes some of the dancers in her preschool ballet class. "You have to do it just right," she said of teaching her youngest students. "You have to let them know it's fun" yet also communicate that dance takes discipline.
Photographs of past dance recitals are on display in Betty Hayes-Baxter’s basement studio as children meet for a dance class there. Some of her classes are held in the Avoca community center.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
A photo of Betty Hayes-Baxter from her teenage years hangs on the wall of her basement studio in Avoca. She learned to dance in Milwaukee and began teaching in rural Wisconsin in 1947 at age 17.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Demonstrators Kelsey Griffiths, left, and Lindsay Johnston lead an exercise for preschoolers during a dance class in Betty Hayes-Baxter’s basement studio in Avoca. Both of the adult dancers were also once students at the school.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Betty Hayes-Baxter, 93, leads a circle of preschool class of dancers in a rhythmic exercise at the Betty Hayes School of Dance.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Betty Hayes-Baxter, who has taught dance since 1947, works with children in a dance class for ages 4 to 7. Teaching young people helps keep her young, too, she said.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Memorabilia fills the walls of the Betty Hayes School of Dance.
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Betty Hayes-Baxter, 93, has taught dance in Grant County since 1947. Her career was recently recognized as the world's longest by Guinness World Records.
A young dance student heads to class held in the basement studio of Hayes-Baxter's home in Avoca. The studio is filled with mementos of her nearly eight-decade teaching career.
Betty Hayes-Baxter observes some of the dancers in her preschool ballet class. "You have to do it just right," she said of teaching her youngest students. "You have to let them know it's fun" yet also communicate that dance takes discipline.
A photo of Betty Hayes-Baxter from her teenage years hangs on the wall of her basement studio in Avoca. She learned to dance in Milwaukee and began teaching in rural Wisconsin in 1947 at age 17.
Photographs of past dance recitals are on display in Betty Hayes-Baxter’s basement studio as children meet for a dance class there. Some of her classes are held in the Avoca community center.
Demonstrators Kelsey Griffiths, left, and Lindsay Johnston lead an exercise for preschoolers during a dance class in Betty Hayes-Baxter’s basement studio in Avoca. Both of the adult dancers were also once students at the school.
Betty Hayes-Baxter, who has taught dance since 1947, works with children in a dance class for ages 4 to 7. Teaching young people helps keep her young, too, she said.
