News

APG D.A.R.E. DANCERS PERFORM AT ANNUAL TRAINING
U.S. Fed News - May 2009

ABERDEEN, Md.-Aberdeen Proving Ground released the following issue of APG News:

Fifteen children from the Aberdeen Area Youth Center performed a dance routine at the annual Maryland D.A.R.E. In- Service Training held in Ocean City April 7. The children who performed the dance routine are involved in APG's Drug Abuse Resistance Education Dance Program, or D.A.R.E Dance Program.

The D.A.R.E. Dance Program, part of D.A.R.E P.L.U.S. (D.A.R.E.'s after-school program series, Play and Learn under Supervision), was established to bring children a free and positive alternative to drugs and gang violence through a fun, healthy and expressive art form, dance. In this venture students have the opportunity to learn many styles of dance including African dance, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern, tap and more by professional adult and professional track teen dance companies.

This was the first time that the D.A.R.E. dancers performed outside of APG. The D.A.R.E. Dance program came to APG in 2007, and has performed three times for parents and friends at the AA Youth Center. Nicole Martinell, from ClancyWorks Dance Company, served as the dance instructor, and taught the children the routine that they performed at the training. Ann Thacker, regional D.A.R.E. coordinator, invited the dancers to perform at the training so that others might consider implementing a similar program in their district.

"This program is another way of getting kids involved, some who wouldn't participate in regular sports activities," Mike "Big Mike" Farlow, community policing and D.A.R.E. officer told the audience, while introducing the group. Farlow continued stating that the goals of the program incorporate D.A.R.E. themes such as: participating in positive alternatives to drugs and gang violence, the building of self-esteem, teamwork, resisting negative peer pressure and focusing on positive health and attitude.

At the training the children performed a variety of dance styles including hip-hop and jazz routines for the audience. After the performance, several children said that they felt excited to have the chance to take their routine to Ocean City and perform for D.A.R.E. officers.

"I think everybody put effort into learning the dance routine, and I think everybody did their best while performing. We practiced a lot so we were confident in our performance," remarked Antoinette Barnes, 11. Diego Robinson, 9, admitted that he was nervous in the beginning but then "got into it" later in the performance. D'Asia Hughes, 8, said that she enjoyed performing in front of other people because she felt the group was well prepared. "I thought it was fantastic," Hughes added. Dorris Tisdale, a parent of Erykah and Aaliyah who are in the D.A.R.E. Dance program, accompanied the group on the trip, said that her children love participating in D.A.R.E. Dance.

"Erykah at first did not want to do it, but I encouraged her to get involved, as she is not on any sports teams," Tisdale said. "Now she really enjoys it, she practices the routines at home, and I can see that she is more confident. I like the D.A.R.E. program because it reinforces what I already tell them at home, about staying away from drugs and gangs. It tells them to be a leader, not always a follower."

Norma Warwick, the director of AA Youth Center, who accompanied the group, said that she felt that the children positively represented APG through the entire trip. "I am proud of the children; they have been really working hard," she said. Warwick added that the children will be learning a new routine in May.

D.A.R.E Dancers who performed in Ocean City Antionnette Barnes Lynette Brown Danielle Eubanks Bria Fisher D'Asia Hughes-Spears Jordan Johnson Taylor Johnson Makayla Lewis Carolyn Mason Courtney McConico Richanda McNeil Lauren Pomroy Diego Robinson Aaliyah Tisdale Erykah Tisdale.

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