The Weir High Dance Team held a youth dance clinic for students in 1st grade through 8th grade on Dec. 8. 

The dancers promoted the event by posting signups on social media and handing out fliers.  

The clinic started with a warmup then broke participants into two separate groups. After warmup, one group went to the strengthening portion which included exercise techniques, while the other worked on stretches to increase flexibility. They switched off after a while and then everyone combined and learned the first part of the dance. After, they broke into groups again and worked on leaps and turns. All was taught by the dance team members.  

“I liked all the different groups we got to switch into because we got to learn something new in each of the groups” said Eva Rine, a third grader and dancer (below middle) who attended. “It was very fun. We learned a bunch of dance steps and moves, and everyone was so nice.” 

Thirteen showed up to the clinic, which included a T-shirt, three hours of dancing, and free entry to the girls’ basketball game. They could also pay extra for shorts, a hairbow, drawstring bag, pom poms, and a crew neck sweatshirt.  

Coach Kristin Palavis said a benefit of the clinic was “building community relations between the younger students and the team members.” 

A few of the dance team members were selected to dance in the NDA Varsity Spirit Spectacular in the parade at Walt Disney World. The girls taught the kids a snippet of that dance to perform. All participants were invited to perform the routine they learned with the dance team at the girls’ basketball game on Dec. 9.  

Dance team member, Melia Palavis said, “[The kids] were all respectful friendly, and did a great job at our final performance.” 

The clinic was a fundraiser to help the team to attend UDA Nationals in Orlando in February. It was successful and raised over $500.