May 9, 2023—On Friday, May 5, the administration, staff and students of Harry J. Clarke Public School (HJC) hosted a community collaboration and Celebration of Dance.
For 15+ years the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board brought students together from throughout the district for an annual Celebration of Dance event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this in-person event has not been possible for the past several years.
On Friday, May 5, HJC welcomed students from several neighbouring schools to share their soccer field and dance together in the spirit of community and friendship.
Approximately thirty students, who had been involved in a dance co-curricular for 6-8 weeks before the event, formed a line in front of a crowd of 600 students, staff and community members to lead eight dance numbers. Students from kindergarten through Grade eight, as well as staff and volunteers, danced, sang, laughed and shared in a magical hour of celebration and community.
"We brought a group of friends together, on our soccer field, to celebrate nothing more than our love of dance" says event organizer, Gavin Foster, Arts teacher at HJC.
Participants danced to Celebration Of Dance classics such as, "Party in the USA" and newly choreographed (by HJC students) numbers like "I Got The Music."
Thank you to all the coaches, choreographers, dance leaders, participants and volunteers who worked to support the momentous event. Special thanks to the Harry J Clarke Public School administration for supporting the event and fostering a sense of community and friendship that will spread throughout the district and continue to grow.