Positive steps D.A.R.E. program uses dance to reach kids

By BILL CHAPIN

Times Herald

Shortly after the doors to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Port Huron were unlocked at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, all 25 spots in the school’s new after-school dance program were filled. Students, who were given forms for their parents to sign at a Monday assembly, waited to hand the application to principal John Eastman.

“Kids came in bright and early,” Eastman said. “Before the bell rang they were lined up.”

It’s not surprising based on the amount of interest shown at the assembly to introduce students to the D.A.R.E. Dance program. The free class will meet for one hour on Thursdays.

After demonstrations of hip-hop and freestyle dance by teams from the Huron Physical Arts Center, organizer Christie Charron asked, “Are there any students in the audience who would like to become a D.A.R.E. Dancer?”

Nearly every student in the gymnasium raised his or her hand.

The national program is part of D.A.R.E. America’s efforts to offer after-school programs as an alterative to drugs, gangs and violence. The first D.A.R.E. Dance program was founded in Baltimore in 2000. It now is offered at 75 schools in 18 cities. Port Huron is the first city in Michigan.

“We’re so super happy we can say we are in Michigan now,” said Bree Melanson, regional manager of the program, who flew from California for the assembly.

D.A.R.E. Dance was Charron’s platform as Miss Lake Huron Shores. She was crowned at the pageant last November.

“I wanted to do ... an after-school dance class,” said Charron, a junior at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

When she discovered D.A.R.E. Dance online, she focused her efforts on bringing it to town, which was difficult. Most programs are in major cities such as Chicago, Houston and San Diego.

The program is sponsored by Huron Physical Arts Center, which is owned by Charron’s mother. The school is providing instructors to teach the 10-week class.

Another session will be offered in the spring. The students will have assemblies to demonstrate the moves they’ve learned.

“This is such a great program, especially for such an at-risk school,” Charron said. “So many are latch-key children without anyone at home. Even one day a week ... I think can help.”

Eastman said the program provides opportunities the students otherwise might not have.

“I have a number of boys who have signed up for it, which I think is terrific,” he said.

Contact Bill Chapin at (810) 488-7741 or bchapin@gannett.com.

To learn more about the D.A.R.E. Dance program, visit:

www.dare.com/home/dance/dance.asp


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