Janis Dengler

Aerobics instructor Janis Dengler celebrated her 80th birthday last week. Dengler works out with her class at the Shepherd's Center at First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, Wednesday,

Wednesday's aerobics class at the Shepherd's Center was an exercise in the art of surprise.

The class, made up of senior adults age 50 and up, couldn't pass up the opportunity to mark a milestone birthday for its devoted instructor, Janis Dengler. The retired dance teacher celebrated her 80th birthday on April 11. She's spent most of those years helping others stay active.

Just minutes into the Wednesday morning warm-up, Dengler turned around to find her class of 23 students all dressed in burgundy shirts painted with a birthday message just for her. They read 80? Dang Dengler's age and a play on her name.

Finally in on the surprise, Dengler paused only briefly to smile and laugh with the class before returning to her turn and stretch routine.

It was a real surprise to me, she said after the class, which meets three times a week.

Dengler began teaching aerobics as a volunteer at the Shepherd's Center eight years ago. She'd retired as an associate professor of physical education from Converse College, where she taught dance for 41 years, and was looking for a way to stay active.

I was very active when I was teaching, and I needed an outlet for that, Dengler said. So I called the Shepherd's Center.

The Shepherd's Center is a nonprofit organization located at First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg that provides a variety of programs to senior adults. Offerings include fitness programs (like aerobics), foreign language classes, computer classes, arts groups and workshops through the Adventures in Learning series.

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Aerobics and dance teacher celebrated for helping others stay active