Dancing our Way to Good Health and Good Times!

In the distance you can hear the beat of the drums, the applause of an audience... and then you see the joy on the faces of students as they compete in the Fit for Life Dance Off!

Over 130 Club YES students chose dancing as a way to get their heartrate up and refine their skill as they practiced hip hop and salsa moves for the Dance Off! Angel Reyes, Student Events Developer with MCOE and Ozzie Naranjo, with Madera Parks & Community Services, set up the Dance competition format and trained staff in the selection of appropriate music, parameters of dance steps and set guidelines for team size and length of dances. “Kids today love to dance and it happens to be a great aerobic activity,” said Angel Reyes.

Thrive Fitness trained Club YES Staff on Zumba – salsa like dance moves for exercise.  At the Triathlon, parents and the community were able to participate in Zumba sessions throughout the day. Desiree Ortega, Program Instructor at Chavez Elementary in Madera Unified stated, “I think the dance competition was an opportunity for students to express their individuality through something they love to do.  It’s also a great way to teach our kids about different cultures through different styles of dance from around the world.”

The performing arts didn’t end with dance!  Each site created a Banner for the Triathlon.  The event opened with a Parade of Participants and their creatively designed Banners as they marched to the Amphitheater for words of Welcome by Madera County Office of Education Superintendent, Dr. Cecilia Massetti and Parks and Community Services Director, Mary Anne Seay.

Come join us next year for the Second Annual Fit for Life Triathlon!  Join Madera Families in their commitment to make healthy choices – you may benefit in more ways than one!