In a celebration of both culture and healthy activity, the Annual Latin Dance Competition will be held for the eighth time on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. The public is invited to attend this special performance. The event is sponsored by Highmark with 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 some special Latin dances, including the salsa, bachata and merengue, from professional dance instructors. Students also learn about teamwork and discipline throughout the 10-week program.
Mark Your Calendar
November 20, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
Latin Dance Competition
William Allen High School
John F. McHugh Auditorium
106 North 17th Street, Allentown
Tickets at the door: $5.00/adult
$3.00/student with ID
Children under age 5 free
“Students of all cultures are brought together by an interest in dance,” says Irene Blough, Program Founder and the evening’s emcee. “Under the guidance of dedicated and talented professional dance instructors and coaches, the students are invited to deepen their love and understanding of Latin dance and are challenged to grow emotionally through commitment, discipline and teamwork. The culmination of ten weeks of training is a dazzling competition in which students from the four middle schools present intricate choreography to music dear to many of our families before an appreciative and loving audience.”
For many ASD students, this competition is a celebration of their own cultures. At this evening on November 20, winners will be announced in select categories as well as the grand champion.
Highmark contributed $2,500 for the program and the Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley added a $100 gift. Funding from the Education Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) also provides support and several individual donors also made contributions.
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; and 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 – Emcee
Mercedes Van Aken – Dance Instructor
Eric Bass – Dance Instructor
Brenna Schlossberg – Dance Coach, Harrison Morton Middle School
Tara Beaky – Dance Coach, Raub Middle School
Maria Figueroa – 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.