Payson Excessive Faculty college students are going to get loads nearer than six levels of Kevin Bacon.“Footloose,” which celebrates the fortieth anniversary of its launch this 12 months, was filmed on the faculty in Payson, Utah. For months, the scholars there have tried to get the actor to attend this 12 months’s promenade, which would be the final on the constructing as the college can be relocating on the finish of the tutorial 12 months. Effectively, they are going to lastly get their want after Bacon confirmed he would come whereas on TODAY March 22.The actor referred to as in from Atlanta whereas a throng of scholars stuffed the college gymnasium. He shared his appreciation for all they’ve performed and to allow them to know he’ll certainly be heading to their promenade, with the announcement prompting an eruption of cheers.“I’ve been so impressed with every part that’s been occurring there with this loopy concept to get me to return again,” he started whereas noting how large the film and the college has been to his personal life.Kevin Bacon shocked college students of Payson Excessive Faculty, the place “Footloose” was filmed, with information that he’ll be attending their promenade.CBS through Getty ImagesBacon additionally confirmed appreciation for the scholars supporting his SixDegrees.org charity and the way a lot effort they’ve put into making an attempt to get him to the promenade.“I’ve been amazed on the work that each one of you’ve been placing into this, with the musical and the flash mobs and the re-creations,” he mentioned. “It hasn’t gone unnoticed by me, to not point out the truth that you tied in SixDegrees.org, our basis, and try to determine methods to provide again to your neighborhood. It’s actually inspirational, so thanks. Thanks. And I’m gonna come. I gotta come,” he continued, because the gymnasium exploded in pleasure.RecommendedStudents have certainly placed on an all-out blitz to get Bacon to return to their promenade, utilizing the hashtag #bacontopayson on social media, re-creating scenes from the film, studying the “Footloose” dance and internet hosting an occasion on promenade day to profit SixDegrees.org.”Let’s dance! We’re gonna do it! That is superior!” pupil Rubie Raff instructed him after he made the announcement.”We’re gonna occasion actually arduous, Kevin,” Kaleb Dymock added. “Thanks guys. Let’s dance,” Bacon mentioned.In a phase that aired proper earlier than Bacon’s announcement, the college’s pupil council advisor Jenny Staheli mentioned she’s happy with all of the work the scholars have put in. “To observe them simply take possession of that and run with it has been … it succeeded past my wildest goals, actually,” she mentioned.Bacon, who celebrated the top of final 12 months’s actors strike by re-creating a well-known dance scene from “Footloose,” has embraced the enduring recognition of the movie.“I feel that it was an ideal present to be a part of that film,” he instructed TODAY’s Willie Geist in 2022. “I definitely took it very critically once I was doing it and I really like that individuals will nonetheless come up and say that they only confirmed it to their youngsters.”Drew WeisholtzDrew Weisholtz is a reporter for TODAY Digital, specializing in popular culture, nostalgia and trending tales. He has seen each episode of “Saved by the Bell” at the very least 50 occasions, longs to good the crane kick from “The Karate Child” and performs stand-up comedy, whereas additionally cheering on the New York Yankees and New York Giants. A graduate of Rutgers College, he’s the married father of two youngsters who imagine he’s ridiculous.