EXHILARATING: Bears dance to the beat of their dreams.
By Sophia Santoso, Staff Writer
Riverside Poly High School encourages its students to create a home for diverse talent and forms of expression. Every student possesses a virtuosity that carries them to a happy place. For some, it may be a sport, music, dance, etc. Regardless of the source, Poly students demonstrate that reaching a variety of dreams, passions, and skills is possible. Poly’s newly assembled dance team, Poly Dance Collective, under the direction of Callie Neal, enables students to express themselves through the art of dance.
“I started dancing in high school, and dance has been the lens I look at life through— I wanted to give that opportunity to students as well,” Neal said. Poly Dance Collective, named for their mission to bring together a group of individuals that contribute to its growth, is composed of a wide variety of students who share their love of dance with one another. The team began as a club, in order to give the members rehearsal time and the program exposure. According to Neal, many of the dance team members took part in the choreography and costume design for their performance on the roof of the Riverside Art Museum on November 1st, 2018. Poly Dance Collective embraces collaboration among students, providing them with the opportunity to practice leadership skills. As the team grows, more opportunities for competition arise. Despite the spirited atmosphere, Neal explains that competition is not the most important aspect of Poly Dance Collective. Although competitiveness plays a healthy role in being a part of a team, the principal mission of the team is to provide students with experience and collaboration.
“Many of the students, especially the ones who ran for offices, wanted to start a club in which they could include a wide variety of students. One of the things I’m most proud of is that we have many newcomers on the team, many of which are Spanish-speakers. The dancers have gone out of their way to make a wide variety of students feel welcome” Neal said. Together, Poly Dance Collective has worked to create an accepting environment for students, especially for those who feel slightly detached from the rest of the community. This includes many Spanish-speaking students, who cope with feelings of solidarity because of their language barrier. However, Poly Dance Collective has enabled Spanish-speaking students to overcome these feelings through dance. Being a part of the team not only promotes familial community but also develops a sense of belongingness, which is beneficial to the students’ happiness. “In the spring, the students are going to teach dance to some of the after-school programs for elementary schools. Many of the dance members are practicing their Spanish with the Spanish-speakers, and parents who were formerly not involved, are now offering their homes for the dancers to practice in. There’s so much community, and that is what I see within the visual and performing arts program,” Neal emphasized. Through dance, the Poly community is capable of growing into a collective of people working to achieve numerous goals, many of which are beyond the school campus.
After weeks of rehearsing, the dancers were finally prepared for their performance on the roof of the Riverside Art Museum. String lights enveloped the ceiling and illuminated under the night sky. The highlight of the performance was their big number, with all of the dancers on center stage dancing their hearts out to “All the Stars,” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. Stunning and captivating, the performance demonstrated Poly High School’s imbue of talent, passion, and persistence. “Dance is a part of the music, and together, dance and music bring people together. It’s the happiest part of my day to watch the students learn something new,” Neal expressed. Talent, regardless of its roots, has the ability to bring all people together.
Poly High School encourages students to be a part of a variety of groups, as being involved is often a significant part of the high school experience. Involvement not only allows the students to discover their strengths and passions but also contribute to the development of critical skills necessary for their future, including collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and discipline. “Poly Dance Collective works to build confidence, and express how the dancers feel through dancing,” secretary of the club, Laila Best (12) elaborated. As students enter the next chapter of their lives, they must hold on to their passions and pursue them, just as bears continue to dance to the beat of their dreams.