Photo byRobert CollinsonUnsplash

In the enchanting state of North Carolina, where the Blue Ridge Mountains whisper tales of old and the Atlantic Ocean sings lullabies, you'll find a group of kids who can out-twist the twister, out-shake the shaker, and out-boogie the boogie-man himself. These are the Zumba kids of NC, and boy, do they know how to move! Meet their guide, Zippy Zumba Zeb, a zippy zebra from Zebulon with a zest for Zumba. Zippy Zumba Zeb, with his zigzag zebra stripes and zany zest, zips from the zigzagging mountains to the zingy coast, teaching kids how to zap their boredom with Zumba. His moves are so zesty, he can zap a zucchini into a zillion pieces with a single Zumba sway. Every Tuesday afternoon, as soon as the last school bell rings, Zippy Zumba Zeb zooms down from his zebra-striped Zamboni to teach these eager kids Zumba. Under his zippy tutelage, kids from Asheville to Outer Banks become Zumba wizards, whirling, wiggling, and weaving to the rhythm of the catchy Zumba beats. As they sway and swing, these kids transform into Zumba-loving zombies, their eyes aglow with fun and energy. Onlookers, be warned! Their laughter is infectious, their energy uncontainable. You'll soon find yourself shimmying, shaking, and sharing in the joyous jamboree. The Zumba kids of NC, under the watchful eyes of their zebra guide, Zippy Zumba Zeb, have become a living, breathing, and dancing testament to the power of fun and fitness. North Carolina has never been so alive, so vibrant, and so incredibly hip!