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Dance Posse defended
Dear Editor,
We are writing in response to the
negative feedback about our performance during the December 2, pep assembly (Senior
Dance Posse). We wish to respond to each comment made.
1. The purpose of our dance was not
to degrade the cheerleaders, but to introduce our peers to something new and exciting
to promote school involvement and continue the theme of battle of the boy bands.
This brought our assemblies to a whole new level. One of our dancers is a cheerleader and
she, in no way, felt that this routine was an
insult to the cheerleaders' efforts.
2. Choreography and costumes
were approved by Mr. Perrins. If our tops were in fact inappropriate then maybe it should
be inappropriate to wear short skirts and reveal spankies as cheerleaders do. Not only did
we purchase these costumes out of our own pockets, we also made adjustments to
make them tasteful and suitable for school regulations, the same regulations that do not
prohibit tank tops.
3. The positive responses we have
received have definitely outweighed the negative. Positive feedback has come from
parents, teachers, peers, and even cheerleaders and past cheer coaches.
Our goal was to start something fun
and leave a legacy behind. Most people would say that the glittery costumes, bright
lights, and choreographed dancing brought a whole new energy to the pep assemblies. For
this we are proud and thankful that our school was mature enough to appreciate our efforts.
Thank You,
-Dance Posse 2000
Yeah, what they said
Dear Editor,
I am writing this in response
to Nancy Eklund's letter "Dance not appreciated," in the January 7
edition of C.
Mrs. Eklund's letter conveyed a sincere concern for
the well-being of our school and its spirit. It is great to know that
we have staff at our school that really care about us and would take the time
to express any concerns with the way our student body was being represented. I
would just like to point out a few things that
made me feel like we needed to include this dance routine in our pep assembly:
The biggest reason for my choosing
to put this dance in the assembly was change. In my campaign speech for ASB President
last spring I addressed the fact that pep assemblies would need to be changed in order
to keep people coming back to them. We wanted to find things that were new and different
to keep people interested. If we were to do the same thing every year, pep assemblies
would be a bore. Laura Johnson said it perfectly
in the title of her editorial directly below Mrs. Eklund's letter: "To live is to change."
I am sorry that you felt that the
routine was inappropriate. I felt that the dance
was impressive and well performed. I felt like this was a great way to get more
people involved in our assemblies. I did not feel
that the dance was inappropriate simply because I don't think they used moves that we
have not already seen done by the cheerleaders or on TV. The girls worked extremely hard
on it and I am glad they had a chance to present their talents.
I don't think there is any basis to
the argument about this show being a competition between the cheerleaders and the
dance posse. I have spoken to many cheerleaders who were not at all feeling the same way
as Mrs. Eklund. I never saw this dance as a way to put down cheerleaders. Our
cheerleaders are great at what they do and they
should constantly be applauded for their efforts
to promote school spirit.
It is an understatement to say that
it's hard to change. It is a constant struggle for our ASB to try new things. But I feel that
this year's pep assemblies have done a great job of motivating our athletes and fans to
be excited about being BEARCATS!
May the Tide of Pride continue to roll,
-Chris Judd, ASB President
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