Performances start Dec. 7
By Holly Neumann
A local dance program will provide halftime entertainment during Iola-Scandinavia boys’ and girls’ basketball games this season.
Erin Bruno directs Just for Kix, which she said is a win-win for the school and the program.
“It will bring in more people from our community to support the girls’ and boys’ basketball program and provide some entertainment during halftime of their games,” she said. “It gives Just for Kix an opportunity to perform and showcase what these young dancers are learning.”
The dance classes focus on teamwork and confidence-building, according to Bruno.
“Our classes are designed to build confidence and self-esteem in students,” she said.
The performances are the culmination of the dancers’ their hard work, Bruno said.
“The more these dancers can perform in front of a crowd, the more comfortable they feel doing it,” she said. “Especially for our little dancers, it can be a scary thing to have all those people watching them. It is exciting for them to show off how much they are growing and learning as dancers.”
Upcoming performances include the 4K-5K Pre-Petite Class on Friday, Dec. 7 (girls’ varsity game); the 3-year-old Tiny Kix Class on Friday, Jan. 18 (girls’ varsity game); fourth-to-sixth Mini Kix Class on Tuesday, Jan. 29 (boys’ varsity game); Pre-Petites Class on Thursday, Jan. 31 (boys’ junior varsity game); Wee Kix Class on Thursday, Jan. 31 (boys’ varsity game); Wee Kix Class on Monday, Feb. 18 (boys’ junior varsity game); and Minis Kix Class on Monday, Feb. 18 (boys’ varsity game).
Bruno said the program has received plenty of community support.
“I am so grateful to be able to provide this program to Iola and the surrounding communities,” she said. “This will give the community time to see what we are all about. Anytime young people can be involved in an extra-curricular activity, it is a good thing. They learn so many life skills when they are part of a team. Hard work, determination, teamwork and confidence are all things we talk about and work on at our classes.”