The start to any school year is typically marked by a number of events and exercises designed to help members of the school community settle in for the next 10 months of learning and growth.
But as far as ice-breakers go, what can possibly beat dancing?
On Thursday, Sept. 19, the Eastchester Cultural Celebration Committee held its first event of the year, a Salsa Dance Celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month that not only succeeded in teaching students and staff how to cut a rug, but also provided an important reminder about the importance of recognizing the cultural diversity that makes Eastchester such a vibrant town.
The class was led by Michael Innocenzi, the owner of Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Eastchester, who worked with committee chair Kate Weiss to put together an hour-long class that provided an introduction to the fundamentals of salsa dancing while also encouraging attendees to move around the Eastchester Middle School cafeteria with joy and passion.
“I had the pleasure of reaching out to Michael, who graciously volunteered his time to help us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Weiss. “His dedication to giving back to the community is truly inspiring, and we are immensely grateful for his support.”
Weiss also thanked EMS teacher Cara Dippolito for her help in putting the event together. Dippolito noted that promoting unity through dance seemed like an obvious choice for the organization.
“Dance is something that has no language barrier, so any child can come in, even having just arrived from a different country, and join in,” said Dippolito. “It’s just a little bit of coordination, a little bit of math and a little bit of partnership.”
Weiss concurred, noting that the event was a positive start to the committee’s plans for the coming school year.
“We were excited to bring this celebration to life,” added Weiss. “And we look forward to future celebrations of culture within our wonderfully diverse community!”
The Cultural Celebration Committee will hold a number of events this year, perhaps most notably the annual “We Are Eastchester” event in June. Weiss said she is eager for the committee to get back to work next week, when it hosts its first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, Oct. 1 to discuss future events. The meeting will be held via Zoom at 8 p.m.
“We always welcome additional members who would like to participate,” said Weiss. “Through events and programs, we foster understanding, respect, and a sense of belonging, enriching the educational experience and preparing students for a globalized world. We look forward to continuing this important work in the year ahead.”
