Winners

w Alumni Win Scholarships

w Dance Program Gains Popularity

The Maryland Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance offered performance opportunities for Maryland Public and Performing Arts High Schools during this year’s annual fall convention. While most students used October 17th’s staff development day to kick off a four-day weekend, there were a few that used the day for a final rehearsal and to travel to Towson State University to perform at the Dance Gala during the Awards Ball. The Dance Gala is an adjudicated concert in which a video had to be submitted for review and the piece had to be accepted by a panel of judges.

Megan Hayes, Kim Hultslander, Jesse Palmer, and Shebah Potter were scheduled to perform to Alicia Keys’ “How Come You Don’t Call Me”. During the week of the performance, Potter sustained a neck injury and was unable to perform, but displayed the commitment and dedication worthy of the Cadet Dance Company member title by still making the trip, along with Mrs. Potter who served as a chaperone and driver. Frederick High School was first on the program, setting the precedence for what the audience was to expect for the remainder of the perform ance.

Other schools and performers on the program were Arundel H. S., Towson, and Towson’s visiting assistant professor. Special recognition goes out to the four dancers that participated in CDC’s first year at the MAHPERD convention. The jazz number will be performed again in the fall Kinetic Art production on December 5.

The Frederick High School Cadet Dance Company was founded in the fall of 1997 by physical education staff member, Tammy Frazier. A member of her own college’s dance company(Frostburg State University), Frazier wanted to offer FHS students the same positive experience. During the first year CDC was established, they performed in the Homecoming Parade, DanceFest, and even brought home a 2nd place trophy from their first dance competition at Kings Dominion. The company made its mark in FHS’s production of Arts United in the spring of 1997 during which 36 dancers performed. Arts United was a feast of the arts featuring visual arts, drama, jazz ensemble & dance.

This is CDT’s second year in existence. FHS student, Chaba Brown (12th grade) approached Ms. Frazier last year about starting a dance group similar to one at her former high school. Ms. Frazier agreed to advise the group on more of a supervisory level, with Brown being the student in charge of organization and choreography.

Last year’s CDT showed an initial interest of about 30 students. 12 students were chosen after the audition process, nine students attended the first rehearsal, and by the last performance, only the strongest five survived. Auditions were held on September 11 and 12 for this year’s CDT. Although, again, approximately 30 students showed initial interest, 16 only auditioned.

Initially the finals produced 12 dancers and two alternates. The team now consists of ten dancers: Chaba Brown (year 2), Cherise Dogan (year 2), Alexis Ford (year 2), Tenesha Hill (year 1), Phylicia Jackson (year 1), Tiffany Jones (year 1), Shea McClelland (year 1), April Przygocki (year 1), Monica Smith (year 2), and Rachel Wood (year 1).

Hoping they are down to the committed 10, the team prepares to get the pep-rally audience, as well as the homecoming crowd on their feet with hip-hop beats and their funky style.

The Frederick High School dance program is but seven years old. It was implemented during the 1995—96 school year, during which time there was one dance class offered during the spring of 1996. The dance program’s numbers have wavered from classes in the 20’s, and the teens, to even not being offered during the 2000—2001 school year while Ms. Frazier, the dance instructor, was on sabbatical attending graduate school.

This year, the dance program is experiencing record enrollment numbers, allowing for two sections of dance to be offered this year for the first time. One section is being offered this semester and currently has 26 Dance I students and five Dance II Students. Next semester Ms. Frazier expects another large class with students enrolled in Dance I, Dance II and Dance III.

The first 2002 appearance for both the Cadet Dance Company and the Cadet Dance Troupe was made on October 5 at the 20th Annual In The Street Festival. The students marched in the parade together and performed in the Cultural Arts Center. The Company performed a jazz number, while the Troupe gave the audience a taste of their Homecoming routine. The first performance of the year was a success and enjoyed by all who participated as well as all who observed.

Kinetic Art is the vision of Tammy Frazier, Director of the FHS dance program, Dance Company and Dance Troupe. It is a collaboration between the Dance Company and the Dance I, II, III, and IV students. Kinetic Art features choreography by Tammy Frazier as well as student works.

Students dove into the rehearsal process on October 7, after their first appearance at In The Street was under their belts. Students in the company rehearse up to three times per week, while students in the dance classes rehearse daily. This year, the Cadet Dance Troupe may be appearing in the production as well, and have been rehearsing twice a week for their regularly scheduled performances.

With this year being an anniversary year (5th anniversary), Frazier hopes to feature FHS CDC alumni during both the fall and spring productions. The fall program will include various styles of dance including lyrical, hip-hop, jazz, and modern. Student choreographers will include Chaba Brown, Stephanie Custis, Kelly Fitzgerald, Alexis Ford, Kim Hultslander, Tiffany Jones, Jesse Palmer, and April Przygocki. The spring production is scheduled for Thursday May 1, 2003.

Kinetic Art

Fall Production

December 5 - 7:30 PM

FHS Auditorium

FHS Dancers Win Scholarship Awards

Kim Hultslander

FHS dancers recently had two audition opportunities to win scholarship awards. During Maryland Council for Dance auditions on October 25 every FHS dancer who auditioned received a scholarship. Awardees were: From Dance Unlimited, Jesse Palmer (Dance Unlimited - Carol Rioux ballet -private session in NYC/$100 for competition fees at Starbound National Dance Competion, Kim Hultslander - 3rd overall in age group/ Academy of International Ballet Vagonova Summer Intensive/$100 competition fees at Starbound, and Jen Clevinger - $100 competition fees at Starbound; and from MMPAC, Kristin McCoy - Dance Educators of America Convention.

Frederick Arts Council scholarships were also recently awarded during ballet, jazz, modern and tap auditions. From Dance Unlimited, Kim Hultslander won the $500 Sr. Ballet scholarship and Jesse Palmer won the $500 Sr. Jazz scholarship. Kristin McCoy of MMPAC won the $500 Sr. Modern scholarship. These three FHS dancers will join other scholarship recipients during the annual scholarship winners’ Dancefest finale number at the Weinberg Center on May 3, 2003.

Former CDC Members Dance Their Way to the Crown

The Miss America program is the largest scholarship provider for young women in the world, providing over 40 million dollars in scholarships each year. This assistance is available to not only the women who compete in the Miss America competition, but also to the thousands of young women who compete on the local and state levels. Two of Frederick High School’s CDC alumni have taken advantage of the scholarship funds provided through the Miss America Program.

Michelle Orey, who finished high school in 3 years, uses the scholarship money she won to help pay her tuition at Penn State where she is a sophomore. Michelle tap danced her way into the top 10 at the Miss Maryland competition last June. Michelle has already secured a spot for next June’s state pageant as Miss Northern Chesapeake 2003!

Shannon Babe, a recent Towson graduate was Miss Frederick last year and is Miss Monocacy 2002. She also dances for the talent portion of the competition, usually mesmerizing the judges with her lyrical style.

Mid-terms, Homecoming, homework, family, extra-curricular activities, dance classes, dance rehearsals, and a social life...how on earth is it possible to fit it all in? High school can be the best time of your life if you know how to make the most of your time; in two words...time management.

Students who choose to be involved in an array of activities will find that they end up setting themselves up for failure if they do not implement time management skills. Not to mention the undue stress created by putting more on their plate than they can handle. Time management skills can be a crucial element in the success of a highly engaged high school student. It is also a skill that college bound students will come to appreciate.

Tips: *Do not over-schedule yourself. Be realistic and use common sense when planning out your schedule. This will prevent panic situations!

*Record all appointments and deadlines in your timetracker

*Use your time- tracker to note in detail how your time will be spent each week, look back often to see how your time was spent and identify changes you need to make.

*Prioritize by asking yourself what absolutely has to be completed today? Don’t try to accomplish everything in one day that has to be done in a given week.

*Utilize “to do” lists and keep track of the items you have completed by marking them off of the list. Keep the list with you and jot down items as they need to be added.

Proper time management helps lower stress levels and helps prevent health problems associated with stress.

CADET DANCE COMPANY
1997 –2002
PURPOSE
The Cadet Dance Company is an extension of the dance curriculum, which serves to provide:
1) Members with a foundation for developing a life-long relationship with dance expression
2) Members who demonstrate unique potential with the opportunity to be identified, encouraged, and challenged to continue exploring the range of expressive possibilities available through dance.
3) Dance learning experiences which account for student interests and abilities and that promote growth in understanding the qualities of dance.

MISSION STATEMENT
To foster interest in, promote appreciation for, and provide valuable experiences in dance as a performing art.

Cadet Dance Co.