As the school year progresses and we adjust, so do our extracurriculars and teams!

Our EHS Dance Team takes part in pep rallies, back to school nights, and even hosts dance events with children interested in strutting their stuff. Had I not been to that special night last year, Dear Diary, hosted by our amazing dance team, I would not be so involved in showing up and showing love to them. That night was full of emotions, glorious songs, and lovely dancers who worked their butts off to choreograph over 25 dances.

So here I am, showing my love with a mix of words, compiled along with questions answered by the new dance teacher, Mrs. Ustupski, to help us take a look behind the scenes!

Teaching a class of 16 wonderful students, class starts with a grand good morning! Dancers enter and address what’s going on 0 period, then warm-up with stretches and start rehearsals. Rising with the sun isn’t easy but that’s how early you have to be to attend 0 period with the dancers every day! Splitting into groups after stretches and announcements, dancers work to adjust any holes in the moves, and if need be, form accordingly and accurately if someone happens to be missing or on rest.

Choosing themes for shows relies on agreement and what the school decides to work on, much like the recent pep rally with The Wizard of Oz. Music may be picked by the teacher; as the more experienced one in class, she picks what feels right, what has emotion, and what can be enjoyed by those listening and eagerly watching in the stands.

Mrs. Ustupski is precise in formations during pep rallies, football pre-shows, and my personal favorite, dance shows, so no one gets a kick or fist to the head. Injuries are taken into account during class, and should you be bruised or battered, your comfort will be taken into account and you’ll be cared for properly. Safety measures are put in place, albeit with a few loopholes put in play, but groups can consent as one to take a rest! Footwear is also appropriate, from half shoes to tennis shoes, socks or jazz shoes are acceptable to wear in the recently built gym. Can’t keep these dancers off their feet though, they seem to go to the beat of their own drum, steady and bold, eccentric and cunning, the drum keeps on beating.

Our Latitude Dance Company carries sets of matching clothes for the dancers, where size and comfort are plenty offered, and adjustments are made if need be. Make-up is a requirement for performances, to show off the dancers’ beautiful faces to the crowds cheering in the stands; however, they look just as stunning without it, and it’s a gift to be able to appreciate the work they do. And I certainly do.

To the members of Latitude Dance Company, you have my respect and attention, especially Malia, who is hopefully reading– Thank you! I enjoy your work, and I am excited for what’s to come.

That’s all for this week Tigers! Chrys out and I’ll see you next week on Tiger Times with a new story! /\__/\

(And if you’re interested, guys, girls, and theys can try out for advanced dance in winter! Do it! You’ll love it!)