Teen Spotlight by Kathy "The Brat" Chase

May 2008

Teen Festival Is May 9-10, 2008 !

So, some of you have never been to a Teen Competition. What is Teen Competition, you may ask. Well, let’s see if I can shed some light on the subject. I have talked about it in previous issues, but that was a while ago and it is coming up very soon.

The Pacific Northwest Teen Square Dance Festival has been in existence since1950; originating in Canada, where 16 groups competed. In 1954 the United Stated joined in the fun. In 1975 Washington hosted its first Teen Town Competition (as it was once called). Since then we have traveled back and forth.

This year, we have the great honor of hosting it once again. It will be held in Buckley (near where the 2005 State Festival was held), at the White River High School (26928 120^th Street East). The dates are May 9^th and 10^th. If you have never been to a Teen Competition, now is the chance to watch some of “Our Kids” do their thing. It’s simply amazing. I plan on being there.

Friday evening is a “Start Off” dance where everyone is welcome. The competition itself starts early Saturday morning and goes on all day. The kids have to be there at 6 AM to set up for the Grand March. (YAWN – that’s a bit early). Competition has several different categories and age ranges. (From around 7 to 21 years old.) In Squares there are 6 different categories (Pre-Teen Novice, Pre-Teen, Novice, Junior, Intermediate and Senior). Rounds has 7 (Pre-Teen Novice, Pre-Teen, Novice, Basic A, Basic B, Intermediate and Advanced). Mystery Squares is where the fun stuff starts. As you may guess by the name, it is all a mystery to the teams competing from the music to the moves. The idea is to try break down the square and see how much actual dance time they get. Every time a club breaks down, the stop watch stops and doesn’t start up again until the square is back dancing. The square with the most “dance” time wins. The moves are put together in ways that are not normally done, and can be very difficult. Then there is the calling and cueing competitions as well. It’s a full day, for sure. It is amazing to watch all them spending time together and supporting each other. The kids, as you can only imagine are bouncing around from one room to the next, and one outfit to the next.

Then it gets exciting! After dinner, you will see the Exhibitions. This is where they can really show their stuff.

After all is said and done, there is another dance where everyone can participate. But don’t go home yet. You still have to stick around for the awards ceremony. The kids (and parents) are all exhausted, but this is what they are all waiting for and the energy level is high.

You can come and spend the whole day, or part of the day. All you need to do is purchase a Teen Competition badge (You know, the little round badges that the kids are selling at any dance they can get to.)

Thanks, Wade!

Well, here we are again, Footnotes time. And it’s May, already! Spring is here and, MAN – do I have Spring Fever! The weather the past few days has been awesome. It’s time to start thinking about getting out into the old yard and/or garden, what ever you may have. Just get out there and play in the dirt.

This will be a short sweet article. Just wrapping up the dance season. The Ka$h For Kid$ dance was a success once again this year. Even on Easter Sunday they had excitement and dancers. This year they raised about $2,000 which will be shared between Washington, Oregon and the Ka$h For Kid$ scholarships. They plan on holding it again next year. So mark March 23, 2009 for the next one. Wade will be back to help them raise more college money for OUR kids.

I have received several applications for the Timothy Dale Boggs Memorial Youth Scholarship this year and will be busy, along with my committee, going through them carefully to see who may be the lucky recipient(s) this year. I wish you all the best.

Don’t forget Teen Competition is May 9th & 10^th right in our own back yard. If you can make it to Buckley and the White River High School, it would be great. These kids put an awful lot of work into getting ready for this big event and they could sure use our support.

Well, until next month, take care and remember, Dance with the Youth, they are our future!

Kathy

“The Brat”

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