"nn Sunday, December 5, 2010 EDITORIAL PAGE 5 They jump, kick and twirl in interest of school Dallas High School Dance Team is gaining a foothold in the community. By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com The Dallas High School Dance Team wasn’t jumping, kicking or twirling on the morning of November 6. The girls, bundled up in jackets, scarves, gloves and hats, were unloading doughnuts and bev- erages for a tailgate party in honor of the Old Shoe Game. This is just an example of the way the 3-year-old dance team is trying to make itself known within the school and the com- munity. “We just want people to know that we’re here,” said co- captain Caitlyn Metz, 16, of Dallas. Metz and fellow co-captain Amanda Kornak, 16, of Dallas, took the reins from longtime high school friend Alexis Kuz- ma, now a sophomore at Dick- inson College. Kuzma, who is studying American culture and philoso- phy, started the team as a way for girls to get the experience of dance without working with a private dance studio. She al- so wanted those involved in ne performing arts to have a jance to show pride for the school’s sports teams. “So many girls and boys put their time outside of school in dance studios,” the 20-year-old Kuzma said. The girls got off to a notable “We just want people to know that we're here.” Caitlyn Metz Dallas High School Dance Team co-captain start — while making a propos- al to the school board, they choreographed a dance to per- form in the administration building. “That really sparked that we really had a passion and that something needed to be put to- gether (for the girls),” she said. The team didn’t benefit from the experience of a profession- al coach until moments before the first football game of 2008. Lauren Gonzalez, 28, of Queens, N.Y., didn’t really know what to expect with her first coaching experience. “It was kind of crazy,” she said. “I went to the interview on Friday, the game was on Saturday and I just met the girls at the entrance. I didn’t know what I was doing.” Since then, the team has worked out a routine — sort of. “It’s evolving,” said Metz. Finding a foothold at Dallas High School has been the real trouble. “There’s still a lot of bumps and kinks,” said Gonzalez. The first year the team per- formed only during halftime of football games. Now the team dances on the sidelines, just yards away from the cheerlead- ers. They create eight-count routines to the marching New recruits Kelsey Monahan, left, and Hannah Kimball try out for the Dallas High School Dance Team. band’s music and move contin- uously throughout the game. The team also performs at halftime at the girls and boys basketball games and Metz’s mother, Christina, says the team has been asked to per- form at other sporting events, form at a show at the end of the year,” said Gonzalez. “I want the girls to give me input and feedback. I don’t want to tell them what to do.” For now, the girls are fo- cused on getting the word out about the team’s existence. CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS LPOST Anodyne Therapy a Pain Relief Z-.-. Trusted by the Pros ne Don't let pain interfere with your active lifestyle - treat your pain like the Pro’s. Countless Professional Athletes and Trainers count on Anodyne® . Therapy for effective and FAST pain relief, and for reduction of muscle pep rallies and sponsor events spasm and stiffness. If you are suffering from a chronic or acute injury, and you want to get better faster, ask one of your therapists about adding an like the tailgate party for the Anodyne® Therapy Package to our ifeaiment ro fami: Old Shoe Game. Ya all US t De A fr ry te; Gk such as wrestling and volley- They post flyers, perform at ball. The seven current members of the team practice once a week for an hour and a half. wii il Ol “It’s something new and POS- Fo Co LTE all PERSONAL CARE HOME Homatars LHL Gonzalez teaches and most of itive for the Dallas communi- oq palvv SERVICES, NG, TOP yler ’ - - Fr AGENCY ” said Christina Metz. the other girls take private les- sons. Christina Metz owns a is dance studio called Take the : La Stage where some of the team members learned about the dance squad. The dance team difference is that the girls have a say in how they move at games and meets. “As far as a dance school goes, the teacher usually picks a song, gives you the dance and technique, and you per- New recruits try to keep up with a dance routine as they try out for the Dallas High School Dance Team. Non-Medical & Medical Home Care Companionship = Bathing = Handyman = Transportation Nurses o Therapists = Post Surgery Care = More Danstions gre Being suoeptyd fosdey, over 15 theouih Faday, Decomdier § for Craig Tupper, comm FREE Medical Alert Button FREE Medication Call Reminders A proud part of the community. At KNBT we believe in helping our neighbors. That's why this holiday season we're collecting nonperishable food items for the Back Mountain Food Pantry from now PLR WIENER (570) 824-3005 FWA EVAFARLTE www.caregiversamerica.com until December 31st in our Shavertown Community Office. We're proud to support such local organizations as the Shavertown Fire Department, United Way of Wyoming Valley, Commission on Economic Opportunity, Catholic Youth Center of Wyoming Valley and more. It’s all part of how we go beyond “the expected every day. To learn more, call or visit us today. ® coo towards the purchase of $100 or more. Valid Nov. 26 to Dec. 24, 2010 “Excludes sale items & Pandora / LIMIT 1 Per Transaction. Bartikows 141 S. Main St. Wilkes-Barre www. bartikowsky.com 570 823-7111 J eweler S Shavertown Community Office 196 N. Main Street Shavertown, PA 18708 570.674.6084 www.knbt.com BT Division of National Penn Bank BANKING | INSURANCE | INVESTMENTS | TRUST Member FDIC
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