I was at Prior Lake High School the other day, when I heard familiar music coming from the gym.

When Activities Director Mary Haugen walked by, I had to ask, “Are they really doing the Electric Slide?”

She let me to peek inside the gym, where ninth-graders were learning the art that is the Electric-Slide shuffle.

I had to smile at the students, who were either getting down or pretending not to care.

Little did they know that they’d just learned a dance that would follow them through most of their 20s and 30s at friends’ weddings.

“Pay attention!” I wanted to tell them.

Ladies: You’ll have to be able to do this dance in heels after a few glasses of wine. Guys: You have to be able to do this dance and not break a sweat through your polyester-based rental tuxedos.

All of the older people at the weddings will expect that you love the Electric Slide (I mean, who doesn’t?)

The Electric Slide dance combined with the song “Electric Boogie” by Marcia Griffiths when it was released in 1976. The dance may date back to the ’50s, when a similar four-side line dance called “The Madison” was produced.

It looks like the Electric Slide, or Boogie, has staying power.

As a bridesmaid or groomsman, it will be your job to get up and lead the fun.

While I started out not liking “the slide,” it’s become a safe portion of any wedding reception. The slide and slow dances prevent more comical dance moves from making their way onto the floor,  or into wedding videos or photos.

There’s enough embarrassment from wedding DJs. (At the last wedding I attended, the DJ actually said “The bride’s got quite an arm!” after she tossed her bouquet.)

So, ninth-graders, this is my message to you: I know that it is high-school gym class, and it is last hour, and you’re really not into ‘the slide.’

But thank your teachers for preparing you for the inevitable; this is one part of your education I can guarantee that you will use.