From a Shy Girl to Confident Young Woman

My daughter has been a part of the HPAC Starlites Program since she was in kindergarten 13 years ago. At that time she was a shy, timid child that was hesitant to join in or be a leader. Over these years I have watched my daughter become an outgoing, confident woman in which we owe to this program. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA, has been a leader in many programs including NHS & Girl Scouts of America. She has also been involved with teaching other children through HPAC & Dare dance and many children look up to her. This program is an essential part of Port Huron and has turned many girls into successful, outstanding young women. Laurie Charron is very involved and cares for every child in this program as it were her own daughter. I would highly recommend this to any parent.

Starlite's Parent, Christy Stager

Countless Positive Changes

I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how satisfied my wife and I are with the HPAC Starlites dance program. Since our girls, McKenna(10), Ella(6), and Olivia(5), joined the program in April of 2011, we have seen countless positive changes in them. Our girls have not only been given an opportunity to learn how to dance, but have also been given an opportunity to learn other skills that will help them in their everyday lives. The Starlites program teaches the importance of teamwork, self discipline, academic excellence, and most importantly in our case, self confidence. This became very obvious to us when our oldest daughter started school this year. Due to a switch in school staffing, her 4th grade teacher from last year, ended up being her teacher again for 5th grade. Her teacher commented at the end of the first marking period, that she CANNOT believe the improvements in not only McKenna’s school work, but in the way she carries herself. She saw in 4th grade that there was a star inside that little girl, that was just WAITING to shine. She told us that when McKenna decided she was going to show us what she was made of, she would. And she finally had. McKenna is an incredibly intelligent child, but she couldn’t seem to apply herself before. She was lacking in interest, and self motivation…. mostly due to her lack of self confidence. She was struggling to find her niche. When she asked us if we would take her to audition for the Starlite dance team, we prayed that this would be what she had been looking for. After almost deciding NOT to go try out, for fear of not making the team, she is currently the CAPTAIN of the Elementary dance team. She had found her niche. And most importantly, she started to believe herself. She has gone from a struggling student, to a straight A student. She SHINES when she walks into a room…or on to the dance floor. The Starlites team has helped us have an unwaivering structure, and has created a common interest for everyone in our family. The girls love to dance, and we love to watch them…. watch them grow into positive, healthy, independent, and confident young ladies…thanks to the dedication and support of an incredible new family…our Starlite family.

Sincerely, Bill & Tish Kartheiser

Let Her Dance!

I am a first time Starlites mom this year, my husband and I struggled for two years with putting our daughter in dance because of the cost. The deciding moment was when we went to watch our niece dance who was already a Starlite. My daughter sat in the stands watching with that look wishing she was out there dancing. My husband looked at her an knew we needed to let her dance. We picked HPAC Satrlites because we saw how much my niece loved the coaches and loved dancing. The dance instructors are wonderful. They teach with praise and that is what children need to grow up to be confident young adults. Ashley always has her dance stuff at the door waiting, she would live at the dance studio if we would let her. I have watched my daughter a shy timid little girl, turn into a beautiful confident dancer. I can't say enough about the Starlites dance program it is just amazing.

Proud Starlites Mom, Holly

Investing in the Future by Helping to
Build our Children’s Character

I am writing to inform you of my admiration for the Huron Physical Arts Center’s programs and the impact I believe they have on our community. I am a Port Huron resident and I have five children ranging in age from two to twelve years old who participate in the activities which they offer to the Port Huron community year round. We have been a part of the HPAC family for over four years, and we are consistently impressed with their performance.

Laurie Charron and her staff are consummate professionals. The lessons my children learn from them stretch far beyond choreography and technique. The children are taught responsibility and accountability. They are encouraged to explore and to exercise each of their unique and individual talents. Through the staff’s tutelage the children gain confidence and consistently achieve goals that will surpass any parent’s expectations. The children learn teamwork and sportsmanship, and gain an appreciation for a competitive spirit.

Not only does HPAC invest in the future by helping to build our children’s character, but they also are investing in the future of the Port Huron community. My children participated in the HPAC sponsored “Michigan State Classic” competitive dance competition held at Port Huron High School. In addition to providing the community with entertaining dance routines in a safe environment, HPAC hosted several teams from counties across Michigan as well as teams from Ohio. These visitors help to generate revenue for local business and help to promote tourism of The Blue Water Area.

HPAC’s competitive teams are premier ambassadors of Port Huron. They travel throughout the United States representing the Port Huron area while competing against teams from around the globe, and their reputation reflects great credit upon themselves and their home town of Port Huron. Laurie Charron, her staff and the members of her teams are well respected and admired by all athletes with whom they come in to contact with. The Port Huron area owes the Huron Physical Arts Center a debt of gratitude.

Sincerely, Kirk A. Slossar

Very Dedicated Coaches

I would just like to express the love my daughter now has for dance. The passion she has for being at the gym, and being with her team and coaches at the gym is amazing! It has really made her a less shy, more confident person. There has not been one day that we had to make her go to practice, tired or not feeling well, she is always ready to go! The coaches at the gym are great with the kids, very dedicated! The whole experience makes the family sacrifice well worth it!!!

Sandy Fleur

Parents of a Starlites Primary

Our daughter has been dancing a few years with the Starlites. During that time I have watched her self-confidence grow through: the practices, the competitions, your guidance, and the interactions with her team-mates.
The lessons she's learned as part of the Starlites are like those one would learn being a part of any team sport. Perhaps the lessons of competitive dance and being part of a team where, one just can't substitute "players", are even more beneficial than those of "traditional" team sports. In some ways it takes more focus and team-commitment to dance competitively as part of a dance-team.

It's also been a pleasure getting to know other Starlite dance Moms and Dads who bop to the beat, get their kids regularly to practice, and applaud for all the teams, not just the Starlites.

It's been reassuring to know that you have built a program of uncompromising sportsmanship. You and your staff demand, and generally get, good conduct from your dancers and parents even when they are faced with poor sportsmanship on the part of others. That's the part of the program I like: you allow our children to have and develop their own character, a sense of self.

Keep up the hard, surely often frustrating, work of keeping the Starlites dancing, moving, and learning.

With many thanks, The Vandervests

Very Satisfied Starlite Parents

My daughter Marissa has been involved with the Starlite program for 9 years since that program began. She was 5 years old at the time and a timid little thing. What a great program this has been for my child. It has taught her discipline, pride, and lots of confidence. As parents we have watched her blossom from this program into a beautiful young lady earning 4.0 gpa and striving more and more each day. This program is the highlight of her weeks. The coaching is fabulous and a positive influence on these girls. I have watched over the years other girls countinue on into great adventures in their lives into dance careers and many other things.

Very Satisfied Starlite Parents, Christy & Mike Stager

A Very Happy Starlites Primary Family

My daughter, Cecily, joined the HPAC Primary Starlites dance team in 2004 at the age of 4. She had previous dance experience and was ready to begin a more challenging and committed dance team. We soon realized HPAC was the best choice for Cecily's future. Laurie, Kelly, Lynn and Christie have coached Cecily in a way that not only improves her phenomenal dance moves, but allows her confidence and self esteem to continually soar. Due to the competitions (which are a vital portion of the dance teams), Cecily is able to perform as well as learn to grow and work harder at achieving goals. This in turn, also gives Cecily the tools to succeed in many areas of her life. She gives speeches at ease, performs in front of large crowds without hesitation and is eager to continually press forward with the next experience. The exercise and conditioning she receives at practice allows her to stay physically fit and healthy, yet another important necessity for children. I can't say enough about the team mates and coahes. We definitely consider them one big family. I am grateful that we have been blessed with the surroundings HPAC has made available to us.

Sincerely, Andrea Pedregon

Proud Starlite Parents…With Great Appreciation

We have two daughters that dance for the Starlites Competitive Dance Team.  Janae has now been dancing for six years.  We have watched her grow from this shy, unconfident little girl into a beautiful, strong, proud and very confident young lady since starting this program.  Kaitlyn is now on her 2nd year.  She is still in the growing process but as we watch her we see her self esteem and confidence grow stronger every day.  Both girls have not only grown in dancing but as a whole person in general.

We thank God every day for the blessings we have been given and HPAC is one of them.  The coaches have been terrific and have taught so much to my girls.  Its like the girls cant get enough.  They are always dancing around the house and hoping they could be as good as their coaches some day.  As parents, we can never tell them enough on what an inspiration they are to our children. (Thank you to our coaches)

In closing, we recommend this program for any child.  You will see a positive attitude, confidence, self esteem, good grades and is also very good exercise.  Not only do the girls get something out of this but "WE" the parents get to say "Thats our Girls"  proudly.  Thanks to all of you who make this happen.

Our greatest appreciation, Damon & Kelly Durfee

Starlites Program is a Positive Investment

The Starlites Dance program offered through the Huron Physical Arts Center has been one of the most positive investments in my daughters' lives.

My oldest daughter, age 11, has participated for four years. It has been a joy to see her confidence soar.  She is very comfortable in public speaking and performing in front of crowds.  What she has learned has reached out to other areas of interest in her life.  It has taught her responsibility and she has learned what it means to be committed to a team.

My younger daughter, age 8, is very timid and shy.  She was TERRIFIED before her first competition.  She got out there and performed anyway and what a difference from the first competition to the second competition!!  "I can do this!", she told herself.

Thank you to Director Laurie Charron and a great team of coaches for putting together such a wonderful program.

Sincerely, Very Satisfied Starlites Mom