The Starlettes held one of its biggest annual Small Stars Dance Clinic where more than 40 kids attended. The clinic was for kids in pre-k to sixth grade from 9:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
“My favorite part is watching the kids enjoy what we do, because dancing is one of my favorite things to do and I find a lot of joy in it, so getting to see the kids experience that and be happy is what I like about it (the event),” junior Vanessa De La Trinidad said.
Small Stars is a chance for the kids to learn a jazz dance combo routine, do arts and crafts, take pictures with Santa Claus, and perform at the Winter Wonderland show, all led by The Starlettes themselves. The clinic is another way to show the community more about The Starlettes and dance.
“Small Stars is a good way for us (Starlettes) to put our title out there more,” junior and Vice President Niria Gaona said. “It’s nice having the feeling of more kids coming and actually enjoying the art of dancing. There are a lot more kids but it’s good because they all want to be here, are enjoying what they’re doing, making new bonds with their friends and are having an experience that can lead them to finding out if dance is something they want to do, pursue a career in or have a nice hobby.”
The clinic is also a way to let the kids know more about what it’s like to be a dancer and gives them someone to “look up to”, especially those considering joining the Dazzlers and Starlettes when they’re old enough, like fifth graders Adalynn Givian and Joselyn Selph who have a passion for dancing.
“What I like about dancing is that I get to just throw all of my mind in the garbage and think about the moves,” Selph said. “I also like the feeling I get when I dance.”
The event is a fundraiser for the dance program and booster club to help the girls for their competition season. It’s organized by dance teacher Heidi Kloes and the Starlettes Booster Club. This year, there were twice as many kids sign up and show for the clinic.
“This is one of the biggest (Small Star Clinic) we’ve had, we usually have maybe 30 or 40 kids,” Co-Chairperson Kelli Gates said. “We want it to grow, we want Starlettes to get their name out there too. Everybody thinks of cheerleaders and football, but they don’t always think about the Starlettes. The Starlettes are the most grateful group of girls, no matter what we’re doing for them, they are always thanking us, so we love doing it.”
With more kids, paying attention was a problem according to junior Historian Melissa Quintana, but she thinks it’s because the kids were more comfortable with each other this year.
“It’s because they got along really well at the beginning, I feel like last year everybody was kind of to themselves,” Quintana said. “This year they were all talking and doing things together, they’re so much more comfortable with each other. We have a lot of sisters so they get along so well and it’s a good thing, but they constantly want to talk and be with each other.”
After pictures with Santa Claus, the kids were split up into groups where they learned their routine, taught by the Board Officers, BO’s and Dance Officers, DO’s.
“Since we choreographed the dance in our groups I think it helped us with stepping up and bringing creativity from everyone and not just one person,” senior Colonel Kailey Gates. “It also gave us an opportunity to be the one teaching the dance to the kids so they all get a chance to see what it’s like to be a leader.”
She said working with the kids allowed the officers to “grow as a team and as leaders”.
“Everyone contributed and stepped out of their comfort zone and I’m really proud of how far the team has come in just one semester,” Gates said.
“It helped me with being able to comfort a person and being there for them emotionally,” Gaona said. “Making them feel confident, safe and being a good person–they can go whenever they’re going through something, or are overwhelmed and stressed. It’s all about being there whenever they need a mental break.
Throughout the dancing, the kids and dancers had a snack break in between before finishing up their routine. Parents then arrived to watch a small presentation the kids and dancers put together for them in the auditorium.
“It’s always so special to see the parents support their kids even when they just learned the dance they’re always so happy to see them on stage and to see the little kids have fun dancing is one of the best parts,” Gates said.
