P.A.W.S. Summer Program exposes youth to dance

STEM activities, art class and trips to the pool are all activities on deck for Russellville students who are participating in the P.A.W.S. Summer Program – and so is dance class, coordinated by Addie Harbin with Addie’s Flip, Tip and Tap.

Harbin said she was eager to incorporate the dance class in the RCS summer programming, when asked by director Paula Young to participate.

“I have an elementary education background, so it gave me a chance to be back in the school and work with kids,” Harbin said. “I think dance helps them socially, with their coordination, with flexibility – it even helps kids who play sports.

Aided by assistant teacher Maggie Coan, who was one of AFTT’s first students when the studio opened 12 years ago, Harbin will teach the kindergarten through fifth grade students dance basics this summer with a focus on hip-hop style moves. Students will perform for parents at the end of the summer, showing off their choreographed dance to the Kidz Bop version of “Party Rock Anthem.”

Harbin said students will also learn a different line dance each week, like the Cha Cha Slide.

Young said the dance class grew out of a desire to partner with the community for varied summer activities.

“When we asked the kids their favorite things to do, one of their favorite things was dance, so we decided to check with Addie and see if that was a possibility,” Young said. “I think dance is good because it helps with their physical activity, coordination and flexibility.”

Although some students were initially hesitant about their abilities on the dance floor, most quickly got into the groove.

“You get to do flips and all different kinds of dances and have fun,” Tripp Cleveland said.

“You can learn new dances you didn’t know how to do,” Ellie McReynolds added.