FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Dance Team to Hold Fund-Raiser Tonight

They love to dance.

But to keep on dancing, members of Fountain Valley High School’s dance team have to hold fund-raisers to maintain the program on campus.

To keep the performing arts troupe, students and parents raised between $8,000 and $10,000 a year, said Gary Wampler,director of bands, who also oversees the dance program. The program had been cut six years ago because of budget problems.

“We just feel dance is important,” Wampler said.

Principal Gary Ernst also said the dance program is part of the school’s efforts to meet the diversity of the students.

“For some, dance is very important,” Ernst said. “It’s a positive way of expression for the kids.”

Carwashes, garage sales and candy sales are held to pay for costumes, expenses and a dance specialist to teach the class.

As a way to raise money and also show off their talents, the performing group of 21 students is putting on a dance concert tonight at Huntington Beach High School Theater.

The 8 p.m. event will also feature dancers from the School for the Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High, co-host of the event, as well as students from Brea Olinda, Corona del Mar and University high schools.

Parent Sheila Michels,whose daughter, Tricia, 15, is on the team, said she is willing to help support the program if that’s what it takes to keep it at the school.

“Being on the dance team gives each of the girls not only the opportunity to feel good about themselves, but also develop the qualities of sportsmanship, mutual support and friendship,” Michelssaid.

Larisa Waterman,the team’s dance director, said that the program is a beneficial part of their education, in which students receive performing arts or physical education credit.

Waterman, a 1987 graduate of Ocean View High and a UCI student, added that the dancers learn discipline, teamwork, organizational skills, self-confidence, and, most all, they learn to perfect the art form.

Waterman said dance programs are just as important as sports and music in the public schools.

“They learn so much,” she said. “And they have something else to do. It keeps them off the streets and out of trouble.”

Students who attend the six high schools in Huntington Beach Union High School District also have the option of attending the School for the Performing Arts, a program for dancing, acting and singing.

But students at Fountain Valley High prefer to keep their own dance team, in which they perform concerts at school and in the community.

Students also put in long hours at rehearsals. Yet, they said, being involved is worth the hard work.

“It makes you feel proud of yourself,” said freshman Brooke Hayward,14. “And it’s fun and a good experience.”

Teammate Stephen Rush,15, and the only male on the team, agreed: “It feels great to get out there and dance.”

The dancers also choreograph the dances and use contemporary expressive dance forms as well as tap, ballet and jazz. “It’s a place where everybody can bring their own style and express themselves in their own way,” said Tricia Michels.

Tickets for tonight’s performance are $3 before the event and $5 at the door. Tickets are available by calling Fountain Valley High at (714) 962-3301. Huntington Beach High School is at 1905 Main St.