7th Annual Latin Dance Competition Features 60 Students from 4 Middle Schools

7th Annual Latin Dance Competition Features 60 Students from 4 Middle Schools
Posted on 11/01/2018
In a celebration of both culture and healthy activity, the Annual Latin Dance Competition will be held for the seventh time on Wednesday, November 14, 2018. The public is invited to attend this special performance.

This year, the Allentown School District Foundation (ASD Foundation) is proud to announce the sponsorship of Highmark Blue and support from the Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley.

The Latin Dance Competition is an opportunity for students from the four middle schools in the Allentown School District to learn a variety of Latin dances, including the salsa, bachata and merengue, from professional dance instructors. Students also learn about teamwork and discipline throughout the 9-week program.

“Highmark Blue Shield is proud of our continued partnership with the Allentown School District’s Latin Dance Competition,” said Kathy McKenzie, Highmark vice president of community affairs. “The Competition promotes teamwork while at the same time encouraging students to be healthy and well. We are happy to support this opportunity for students to learn while having fun.”

“Allentown School District Foundation’s Middle School Latin Dance Competition provides students with an opportunity to be part of a team that learns, refines, and practices a beautiful art form in order to shine together on stage before an appreciative, supportive and loving community,” says Irene Blough, Program Founder and Dance Coordinator. For many ASD students, this competition is a celebration of their own cultures. At this evening on November 14, area well-known mascots will help to announce the winners in many categories as well as the grand champion. 

Latin Dance Student Roster 2018

Harrison-Morton Middle School Raub Middle School Trexler Middle School South Mountain Middle School
Johanna Catedral Camden Alford Deandra Cruz Yarimar Berly
Nashaly Cortes Keiliannys Arroyo Demetria Diaz Carissa Burgos
Naiommy Cortes Jennitza Claudio Darisleydi Guzman Bryan Gonzalez Cruz
Baleri Melendez De La Cruz Heaven Conrad Manuel Hernandez Mia Espinal
Karinary Delgado Celymar Diaz Nayelie Lopez Dannelys Lugo Fred
Jenny Nguyen Jay-Lean Feyjoo Destiny Maldonado Elizabeth Kline
Savannah Nieves Alexis Gilleo Nevaeh Ortiz Layshka Melendez
Donnell Quittley Sijade Inman Zullema Rodriguez Diana Moussa
Yaziah Reyes Sabastein Jimenez Mayelie Santiago Bermayelin Ortiz Perez
Anaya Rivera Sadie Kayser Norshelys Santos Nataly Garcia Quiros
Jessian Rivera Dayeissy Lugo Ivannah Valles Keyshla Ramirez
Yeilyn Justo Roa Brianalyse Molina Jaeelyn Ventura Adriana Frometa Reyes
Anastasia Rodriguez Yoskar Morales Tatiana Rodriguez
Glorializ Torres Christina Rivera Victor Rosado
Raiza Salgado Andres Sanchez
Diamond Torres Kreichalys Santiago
Briana Trejo
Emmarelice Witt

Highmark contributed $4,000 for the program and the Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley also added a $100 gift. Funding from the Education Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) also provides support.

The program highlights the health benefits as students get regular exercise while learning new and fun skills. The Health, Safety and Physical Education standards include factors that affect the relationship between regular physical activity and motor skill improvement, including:

- Success-oriented activities
- School-community resources
- Variety of activities
- Time on task

Students from each school meet one day a week after school to learn these three dances leading up to the competition.

The dance instruction and support team consists of:

Irene Blough – Dance Coordinator
Mercedes Van Aken – Artistic Director
Eric Bass – Artistic Director
Brenna Schlossberg – Dance Coach, Harrison Morton Middle School
Tara Beaky – Dance Coach, Raub Middle School
Maria Bonilla – Dance Coach, South Mountain Middle School
Jennifer Halucha – Dance Coach, Trexler Middle School
Vicki Newhard – ASD Foundation Administrator

Please join us for a fun-filled evening of truly beautiful dancing.
 


Allentown School District Foundation
With a vision for enriched education for Allentown School District students, the ASD Foundation mission is to encourage, promote and support innovative educational experiences for students in the Allentown School District. If you would like to learn more, please contact the foundation at 484-765-4093 or [email protected]. The mailing address is P.O. Box 328, 31 South Penn Street, Allentown PA 18105. www.allentownsd.org/asdf. 

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