Broken Arrow Bounces To Talent Show Title
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Tears of joy and jumping for the ceiling – without the help of a trampoline – highlighted the instant reaction of Broken Arrow Elementary when the Club site was named the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence 2018 Lights On Talent Show champions, Friday night on the Liberty Memorial Central Middle School stage.
All 15 locations put together a fantastic routine to the theme “P.R.I.D.E. + ME,” inspired by BGCLK’s values that go by the acronym PRIDE +1. Each letter stands for an important value honored by all part-time and full-time staff as well as board members at the Club. ‘P’ is positive role models. ‘R’ is respect. ‘I’ is integrity. ‘D’ is diversity. ‘E’ is empathy. The +1 stands for each individual’s personal value that they bring to their own roles at the Club – their “why.”
All 15 Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence locations danced to a musician who’s name starts with one of the letters: P… R… I… D… E. The added challenge came when each Club location was also asked to incorporate a prop that matched its music.
Broken Arrow BGC chose a trampoline and a red carpet as props for the ‘I’ selection of Iggy Azalea to bounce its way to first place. Quail Run BGC made a first, second and third place podium along with lightning bolts and thunder clouds for its musical choice, Imagine Dragons. The Pinckney BGC squad placed third with their homemade hearts atop their hats and costumes displaying their own +1 values as they danced to Icona Pop. All three of the top finishers will recreate their performances at the Lawrence Youth of the Year ceremony on Jan. 31.
“I’m so proud of them, so beyond proud of them,” Trei Dudley, Area Director for Broken Arrow and Quail Run, said. “They practiced really, really hard. Lights On is really important to me. This is when our kids get to showcase their talents and show their ability to perform.”
Perform they did. In fact, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Tim Schlosser, mentioned that he attended the opening of the Wizard of Oz Ballet at The Kauffman Center on Thursday and had just as much fun at Lights On. In his first appearance as emcee, he was treated to amazing acts like a tribute to Flint, Michigan by the Center for Great Futures teens and Eminem, a variety of Prince performers from Schwegler, swirling books with Rusted Root and Kennedy and so many more.
Dudley, who grew up as a Club kid in Lawrence, was particularly thrilled. She said Lights On was her favorite event as a kid because she got to connect with kids and classmates that she didn’t always get to spend time with. Plus, it presents opportunities to work as a team with someone who is also passionate about performing. For the last several years, Dance Hues Executive Director, Brianne Myers, has volunteered as a choreographer for Lights On. This year, she choreographed both Broken Arrow and Quail Run BGC teams.
“I really have to thank Brianne,” Dudley said. “We have been friends since we were in kindergarten. Having her as a friend and a resource is really incredible. Even my kids that didn’t already know her absolutely adore her. They work so hard together. It’s a great opportunity for both of us.”
A panel of judges was tasked with scoring the dances in categories such as degree of difficulty, creativity and effort. Fortunately, this group was well suited for the job. The 2018 Lights On judges were: Amy Kelly (Theatre Lawrence), Neal Barbour (Lawrence Arts Center), Margaret Weisbrod Morris (Lawrence Arts Center), Derek Kwan (KU Lied Center), Audrey Philips (Rock Chalk Dancer), Jordyn Manhart (Rock Chalk Dancer) and Brandon Hutton (Kansas Enrichment Network).
Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide annual event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The national celebration of Lights On Afterschool Day (Oct. 25) is a tribute to the organizations across the country that keep their “lights on” after school hours. Approximately 8,000 afterschool programs are expected to participate in the 19th annual Lights On Afterschool, holding rallies, science fairs, student performances, community service events, sports competitions and – in Lawrence’s case – a talent show.
The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, theater and the experience of traveling sporting events. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs. As a partner of the alliance and the largest afterschool program in Lawrence, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence works every day to help fill that need.