BALLET FOLKLORICO 
COMING TO END 
OF ITS DANCE

The award-winning Ballet Folklorico Latinoamericano from Kennewick High School is apparently about to be disbanded.

Over the years, the group has won many awards, including the 1996 Golden Apple Award for its efforts on behalf of education in the state of Washington, as well as for sharing a piece of the Mexican culture throughout the Pacific Northwest and promoting positive alternatives for youth. Another year they received a Golden Rule Certificate, and they have five trophies from the Cinco de Mayo Parade, including top honors last year for "Best Theme."

Adviser Sarita McReynolds says she's loved her involvement with the group, which began in 1993, but this appears to be the group's last year.

"Our choreographer has completed his professional pilot's license and is seeking employment. He will no longer have time to volunteer. The most advanced, motivated dancers are graduating this year and going off to college. And after almost 10 years, I'm tired, and I am beginning a master's degree program," Mrs. McReynolds explains.

"I will not have time to devote to the group. You don't know how hard it is for me to say that. I love the kids, the music and the dances, but I am tired," she says.

Mrs. McReynolds' current dancers say the group has meant a lot to them and they regret the loss for future students at the high school.

"I feel very fortunate to have joined the group. Being in the Ballet Foklorico has helped me learn more about my own culture [and] to share who I am with to my community and state," says Angelita Chavez, former club vice president and president.

"The Ballet Folklorico is a very important aspect of my life and my development as a person. I am very sorry that this is the last year it will be in existence here at Kennewick High," she says.

Maria Carreon says the dance group "helps our people not to forget where we came from."

"I feel really sad the Ballet Folklorico will not exist after this year. I would like, as the Hispanic teen, not to let this opportunity go by -- not to let the Ballet Folklorico end," says Maria.

Both Maria and Angelita are seniors at Kennewick High. Angelita says she hopes to help the group live on, in a way, by continuing her own commitment to Hispanic dance.

"I know I will continue on with these traditions by teaching others and joining Los Bailadores de Bronze at University of Washington," she says. "As a member of the Ballet Folklorico Latinoamericano of Kennewick High School, I learned to appreciate my culture, share it and gain valuable experience. I will never forget that."

The Ballet Folklorico Latinoamericano began in 1993 at the instigation of Latino students at the high school. It basically started itself. It began with an international program to be put on by students from throughout the school district.

"Several students came to me and said, 'Sarita, we want to represent some of the dances of Mexico in the program. Can you help us?' I can't dance, but I am good a acquiring costumes, practice space, transportation, etc.," Mrs. McReynolds recounts. "The kids had some cassette tapes with music. So, we started."

She admits that the original presentation for the international program lacked matching costumes, skill and polish; but the students made up for it in enthusiasm.

"After the program, the kids wanted to continue. They found a teacher in a neighboring town. My teacher assistant and I made costumes. And we collected money -- mostly from my savings account," she says. "The money and a shopping list was sent with kids when they went to visit in Mexico, so they could buy boots, shoes, music and costume accessories not available here.

"One of the students went to Mexico on vacation and took dance classes there. When he returned, he became our choreographer, a position he retained for several years," says Mrs. McReynolds.

Recruiting participants has not been a problem.

"The kids recruit the dancers by talking to friends at school and by promoting the group in ESL classes," Mrs. McReynolds explains. 

Young men who might be expected to resist joining a dance group join the Ballet Folklorico for two reasons.

"First, they like the ratio of males to females. How many other places can they be in an environment where they are surrounded by beautiful young ladies? They also want to dance with the machetes. But I won't let them do that until they learn the other dances," Mrs. McReynolds says.

The Ballet Folklorico has had a positive impact on Latino students and provided them a positive alternative for extracurricular involvement.

"It has introduced non-Latinos to a small part of the Mexican culture," she says. "One of the most powerful benefits has been having at least one thing in the school that Latino immigrants can identify with. Cheerleaders, pep rallies, and American football are confusing to them, whereas the Ballet Folklorico is more familiar and a source of pride for the Latinos."

But unless someone else steps forward to head up the group, it will end with the 2001-2002 school year.