DEA Youth Dance program keeps kids off drugs, teaches lifelong skills
http://q13fox.com/2015/08/05/dea-youth-dance-program-keeps-kids-off-drugs-teaches-lifelong-skills/
AUBURN, Wash. — “Dance like no one is watching!”
You’ve heard that saying before, but what about “dance like the DEA is watching?”
A new program is helping local kids stay away from drugs and explore their talents.
A look inside Shaun King’s moves at Auburn Dance Academy is like peering into his soul.
“Really, dance is what I love to do,” he said.
Just a few years ago, he’d never set foot in a dance studio. Then, the DEA came to his school to talk about the DEA Youth Dance Program.
“Enforcement for DEA is our priority. Putting bad guys in jail. However we recognize there’s another component to that and that is educating people to the dangers of drugs and giving them a positive alternative and the Youth Dance Program is that alternative for students.” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Doug James.
For Shaun, the hip-hop moves helped him grow from a shy kid to a bold dancer. He used to struggle with bullies.
“He has just really opened up a lot. Instead of hiding under table, he’s dancing and coming out of himself,” said his mom Celeste Locke.
“It’s really neat to find your child find that thing they love more than anything else.”
His coach has seen a difference in every step.
“When I first meet Shaun, he was very, very shy. He didn’t talk much. Now, he’s the most outgoing!” said Chris Carrington.
Shaun and his team just returned from a national competition in Las Vegas where they took 1st place. Shaun doesn’t know yet what he wants to be when he grows up but you can be that the beat will follow him.
“The cool thing about dance is the life lesson they will carry with them. They’re dedicated and focused. They will be successful in everything they do,” said Jennifer Carrington who owns Auburn Dance Academy with her husband.
The Seattle area DEA’s Youth Dance Program is a non-profit currently partnered with two dance companies: The Massive Monkees and Auburn Dance Academy.
Six after school programs will be running for the 2016-2016 school year in the greater Seattle area.
Filed under: General Problems
I’m sure there are plenty of kids who would love to take dance, courtesy of the DEA. But I’m also sure there are plenty of other kids who have no interest in this activity. I guess those kids are out of luck.
Having an interest like dance (or music, etc.) is a good thing, but it won’t stop the abuse and violence that kids are exposed to at home or at school, which can cause some to take drugs.
And while dance can increase self-esteem, that usually only happens if you’re good at it.