Cheer team prepares for Day of Dance

With the rise of popular dance video games, shows and equipment, dance has become an important part of being healthy. The Women’s Hospital at El Camino Hospital is planning a women’s health event called “Day of Dance” and has invited the cheer team to perform to raise awareness about staying active through fun exercise such as dance.

The event will take place at the Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley in Los Gatos. Eleven cheerleaders will be attending the event on Feb. 25 from 9 am to 12 pm. In 2011’s Day of Dance event, 900 people attended, and several dance groups and studios participated in the dance show. It is the third annual event to combine heart health education and heart health screening tests with dancing.

Michele van Zuiden, the executive director of the women’s health hospital at El Camino Hospital, invited the cheer team to perform a dance routine at the event.

“Dance has become pretty cool over the past few years, and I think it’s a great way to stay active,” cheer coach Laressa Ridge said. “Shows like ‘Dancing with the Stars’ have raised awareness of dance exercise, which may be the reason this form of staying active has become more popular.”

Although the cheer team has performed in various community events, some cheerleaders are especially excited for this particular event.

“I think it’s a great way to teach the community that dance is a fun way to stay active,” junior Haley Wong said. “I hope a lot of people attend and see how fun dance can be.”

Other cheerleaders hope dance can do for others what it has done for them.

“Cheer has been an integral part of helping me stay fit,” junior Nadya Shahin said. “I tend to get a little lazy, so I am glad I’ve had cheer to keep me fit while allowing me to do what I love: dance!”

The cheer team will be performing a medley dance routine that combines some of their favorite dances from the past year.

“Cheer has been a great way to stay fit and I think the Day of Dance is an awesome way to end our season,” sophomore Julia Arnold said. “I am excited for the event and hope a lot of community members attend!”