Dear New Dancers and Parents,
Welcome!
A little about me... your Coach. My name is Cheryl, I am originally from Portland (near Clackamas Town Center). I have lived in Newberg for about 15 years. I have a husband: Todd of 21 years, we have 2 beautiful children: Joshua attends OSU and Jacqueline attends NHS; I also have 2 dogs and 2 ferrets. I love movies and Dr. Pepper, my favorite snack is dry roasted peanuts mixed with candy corn! I love alternative rock music but Joe Cocker is probably my favorite artist (go figure) and I do NOT love country music! I also love to read and garden and I love to dance! I have danced my entire life, my first dance class was a polka, what were my parents thinking? In first grade I took a jazz class... I was hooked forever and I still remember a little of my first routine "Love will keep us together". I went on to take many studio jazz, tap and Polynesian dance classes - I can still use the poi balls! I was a Pony Prancer at Milwaukie High School for 4 years. I LOVED dance team because I was shy and not very athletic, dance allowed me to be involved with my school.
I became NHS assistant dance team coach in 2003 and head coach in 2004-05. I love everything about dance team... every new season is such an exciting time for my assistant coaches, returning dancers and me! I love getting to know my new dancers, each one of you are different in your own way. It's fun for me to see what each dancer brings to our team dynamic. Coaching also gives me the wonderful opportunity to build character and discipline in our young people.
You are joining an absolutely wonderful group of girls and dancers. We are very established in our habits but we want you to fit in and feel like an instant part of our team. My dancers are very special to me, I am so happy to have you on our team!
Dance team goes all year, repeat... ALL YEAR! Performing at halftimes and pep assemblies are fun but the 1st goal of our program is to represent Newberg High to the best of our ability through competition. All teams: football, baseball, softball, soccer, band, choir and even drama have this same goal. To be competitive takes many hours of grueling practice, rehearsals and training.
Dance Team does not conflict with too many other activities or studio dance; many of us coaches can tailor a schedule to fit your needs. If you are having feelings of being overwhelmed I hope you will talk to me, I promise to understand. I will look at your schedule, try to alleviate fears or together we might decide to try Dance Team again next year. Hopefully you have had an opportunity to read the Dancer Manual and NHS Activity/Athletic Code of Conduct. It's necessary to put all those rules and regulations in manual form - while you're reading you might feel scared of the commitment. The hint to having a successful dance team season is very simple... come to practice with a great attitude and do your best!
Unfortunately, Dance Team is also very expensive. Costumes, competition entries, travel, hotels, camp and attire are just a few expenses. Payments are non-refundable as payments will be used to purchase Choreography, Costumes, Supplies, TeamWear, CampWear and camp deposits. See Dancer Accounts for dance season fees.
Parents and Dancers should get familiar with dance team by visiting all the website pages and read Friday News every weekend. It's a great idea to also read Etiquette pages as you are now representing the Tiger Riot Dance Program - you will be held to a high standard! If you have questions or concerns please e-mail me at jacabobn@comcast.net or call (503)550-4206 cell (you can text me too).
Welcome to Dance Team!
Love, Coach
TRD - We're DYNAMITE!