U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground

D.A.R.E. DANCERS STEP OUT FOR APG YOUTHS

U.S. Fed News - October 2007

Employing the art of dance creativity while combating the lure of illegal drugs, a group of dancers demonstrated what youths who enroll in the D.A.R.E. Dance classes, which soon will be offered at the APG North Youth Center, can expect to learn.

The program is under the direction of Mike "Big Mike" Farlow, Directorate of Law Enforcement and Security investigator and community policing and D.A.R.E. officer.

Led by Adrienne Clancy of the Clancy Works Dance Company, six dancers performed a variety of dances, from flamenco to a style known as 'modern physical theater,' for the center's youths. Clancy and her dancers explained the origin of each dance style as well as its purpose. "Physical theater focuses on partnering to get the dancers to do something they couldn't do on their own," Clancy said, adding that the style demonstrates the importance of partnering to overcome life's hurdles.

In one demonstration the dancers used step ladders. "This focuses on experiencing different cultures, which military children are more likely to do," Clancy said. "This type of exposure makes you stronger and better in terms of whatever your goal is." She said the overall goal of the program is to give youths "a way to build teamwork and cohesion which makes them more positive." "When you are done you can look around and see who your friends are who will be there for you to help you do right when you don't want to," Clancy told the youths.

"You can dance as a way to find yourself in a healthy situation." The dancers took turns sharing their stories with the youths and agreed that the program has helped them. Crystal Fernandez, an Army reservist from New Mexico said that she dances "to challenge myself and to stay active." "I also enjoy the positive influence it has on [children]" Fernandez said. "It's something that's kept me out of trouble," added dancer Jesse Wintermute. Mika Royster of Baltimore said she has only been with the company a couple of weeks.

"Adrienne came to do a show at my school and then I contacted her a few weeks later to ask about a career in dancing," Royster said. "I see it as a positive way to reach out to [youths] that not only influences creativity but a positive direction in life."

Farlow said that several youths signed up for the class after the demonstration. "This is far beyond our expectations," he said. "We had six or seven before and now the response is overwhelming."

He said he heard about the program through D.A.R.E. colleagues who used it in their districts. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to do something other than sports," Farlow said. "If we have enough interest we'll be able to do back-to-back sessions and also take the program to APG South."

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