The Dance Connect program is a part of the Communities in Schools program at Westwind Elementary. Around 55, third, fourth, and fifth graders meet weekly to learn about different styles of dance like Jazz, Creative Movement, Ballet, Modern, and Contemporary from Ballet Lubbock instructors.  

“I believe that students could benefit from the program's physical and mental health benefits like decreasing anxiety, increasing self-esteem, and improving overall students' well-being,” said Miranda Macias, the Westwind CIS site coordinator.  

On Tuesday, parents and the rest of the Westwind students gathered in the gym to watch the spectacular performances by the three dance groups. The third and fourth grade dancers showed off their fancy footwork with coordinated warmups before they performed an excerpt of The Nutcracker ballet. The fifth-grade group started with their warmups as well, but they then performed a completely unique dance that they helped choreograph themselves.  

These students practiced all semester for this showcase and their hard work paid off as they received sever round of applause after their performance.