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The
Importance of Dance/Drill Team in School
By Joyce E. Pennington |
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Dance/Drill Team programs in many states have recently come under fire because of accusations that it takes away from academic studies and creates a
diversion from the focus of education. We, as directors and parents, have
grabbed our shotguns and surged ahead ready for battle. Unfortunately, the
critics find a few programs that have abused travel privileges, taken
advantage of getting out of academic classes and assume that all dance/drill
team programs are the same.
In Texas a few years ago, the governor appointed multi-billionaire Ross
Perot to head up an education task force to review the educational system
in our state. Mr. Perot made the statement on a national news program that
"students ranked academically low in testing compared to other
countries around the world, but if they gave our students a test in drill
team, I'm sure they would score well." I wish that Mr. Perot could
visit with the thousands of former drill team members, like myself, whose
high school drill team activities had a greater impact on preparation for
life skills than any academic class.
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My drill team experience taught me self-assurance, grooming, good manners,
self-discipline, physical fitness and poise. It taught me to share with
others, to set goals and work toward them. I learned how to win with grace
and to lose with dignity. My director set an example to us of patience,
love, dedicating, determination and pride. I developed good study habits by
learning to organize my time. But most of all, drill team reinforced the
values that my parents emphasized and that the first and foremost ideal, was
to be a lady.
I dare say, Mr. Perot, that there is not one academic class that is offered in any school in our country that could teach these values to our
students. What classroom subject could emphasize good morals, high grade
standards, neat appearance, etiquette, perfect attendance and offer a better
incentive than to receive the applause and approval from their family and
peers?
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Starting
or Reorganizing
a Dance/Drill Team |
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My appeal goes out to the educators and administrators around the country to take and objective look at our drill teams, spirit organizations,
bands and athletic programs before discouraging their importance in our
educational curriculum. There are always weak instructors, coaches and
directors as there are weak teachers in the classroom.
We should expect and demand the same professionalism in our extra-curricular programs as in our
academic teacher. We, as directors and teachers, are molding young
personalities and enriching our youth of today to be better citizens for
tomorrow. Let us not let a crime be committed in robbing our youth of the
values and quality of like that we teach.
I look up each day and read over my desk a though that fills me with
energy and enthusiasm: "Things may come to those who wait, but only what's
left from those who HUSTLE."
TAKEN FROM LET'S CHEER, SEPT/OCT., 1984.
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