Neuqua Valley Students Dance Their Way Into Spirit Week

Neuqua Valley High School junior Rebecca Parsons uses dance as an avenue for expression.

"I feel like it's a release," said the 16-year-old, who has been dancing since she was 3. "Any emotions that you're feeling, you can channel them through your dancing."

Parsons was among several hundred students who attended Neuqua Valley Knows it Can Dance on Monday night. The dance-off featured a dozen performances — some group, some solo — and kicked off the school's Spirit Week, which precedes homecoming.

This year was the first time Neuqua Valley Knows it Can Dance was held, and coordinators said it will likely not be the last. Courtney Frame, dance teacher and one of two coaches of the Neuqua Valley Orchesis Dance Company, said the idea was inspired by the overwhelming number of dance auditions for the school's variety show.

"We can't feature all of them in that show, so we decided to give the kids another opportunity to perform," Frame said. "And dance is so popular right now, we thought, 'Why not try it?' "

Frame said she hopes both dancers and audience members took happiness and the importance of self-expression away from Monday's event.

Nishil Mubignda, 14, performed with the dance troupe, Unexpected. He said that as a freshman, he thought participating would give him an opportunity to introduce himself to his peers.

"I dance a lot," he said. "It's just something I do for fun and I think that's why we are all here."

Senior Paige Peterson, 17, not only participated for fun, but to build confidence of others in her group. She was among about 15 who wore cowboy boots and plaid shirts to dance to the Cotton Eye Joe with the Peer Partners Superstars. The troupe included about five students with disabilities and special needs.

"I just thought it would be good to get a group together that's unified and has students with and without disabilities," Peterson said. "All anyone wants is to be happy and accepted. I want to give them a chance to do something they might not normally be able to do …"

Stretching their imaginations and venturing out of their comfort zones were goals Leslie Baumann set for all of Monday's participants. Baumann coaches the Orchesis team along with Frame.

"I hope they developed a greater love of dance," she said, following the performance. "It's a great way to unite all styles of dance and foster an appreciation for the arts."