The CCCHS Raiderette Dance Team is to host a junior dance clinic for grades K-8 this Sunday, Jan. 23. The participants will perform at the game Jan. 24. 

For years, the Coffee County spirit teams have hosted junior clinics for younger kids as fundraisers for their squads. These clinics have ceased since the beginning of Covid-19. The last was hosted by the CCCHS Raiderettes in 2020, but that is about to change. 

The clinic will entail games, snacks, learning a routine, and a tee shirt! The routine will be performed at the Jan. 24 basketball game during halftime. 

The team is organizing the event because they’re passionate about instilling a love of dance in the community. Coach Ashlyn Lee says, “Our team and coaches are passionate about dance in the entire community because we’ve noticed there is a lack of not only participation but knowledge as well. We believe that there are so many benefits to the art and sport that is dance.”

Lee continues, “Dance burns calories, strengthens muscles, improves balance, increases flexibility, and gives the heart a good workout. Dance has also been proven to increase cognitive development.” 

“There are important values and skills that dance provides such as creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Through the creative process, students are encouraged to use their imagination, collaborate with their peers to solve problems, and discover multiple solutions to challenges.”

“Lastly, dancing increases self-esteem which is so very important to learn. We already witness the need for children to move throughout the day. Having 10+ years experience with being a dance coach and instructor, I’ve experienced first hand the positive effects dance has on a child’s development.”

With that said, students from kindergarten to eighth grade are eligible to attend the clinic and encouraged to come!  

The clinic will take place at the Raider Academy Gym on Jan. 23. The clinic starts at 1 p.m. and lasts till 5 p.m. Registration for the clinic is available online by emailing @[email protected] or on the Coffee County Central High School Raiderettes Facebook page. Registration is also available at the door at 12:30.