Selsey's talented team really rocks on big stage
There was ecstasy when teenage performers wowed dance festival judges to bag a top award.
Sixty-seven pupils from Manhood Community College in School Lane, Selsey teamed up with ten adults to stage a dance called Fusion at the Rock Challenge 2008 in Portsmouth's Guildhall.
And the team's hard work paid off when they scooped the Best Staging award, fighting off competition from ten other schools across the south of England.
The dance, designed to highlight important social issues, centred on a contrast between Las Vegas show girls and hip-hop dance.
Youth tutor Keith Martin was pleased to win the award which he said was a tribute to the team's hard work.
"It is good to win the award – the pupils committed themselves to the project for six months, learning new skills and reacting to different age groups along the way," he said.
"We were disappointed not to finish in the top three on the night but when you think we are a relatively small school competing against many much larger schools from places like Oxford, Slough, Waterlooville and the Isle of Wight, we do very well to compete at that level so were delighted with the achievement."
The school is now looking to next year's competition and appealing for funding towards the around 4,000 to 5,000 entry costs.
Mr Martin bagged cash from charitable trusts and generous community groups and individuals this year but had to use around 2,000 of youth-wing funds to make up the shortfall.
"We had 100 from a private individual and there were one or two local businesses which sponsored us – we probably got about 300 from local people in total this time, and are obviously extremely grateful to those who donated," he said.
"I found some of the money from youth funds but this is obviously money that could be used elsewhere."
And Mr Martin is determined the school should enter again next year – even if he has to plug the funding gap again.
He said: "The whole point is to give them a drug-free high – Rock Challenge promotes no smoking or alcohol.
"It also builds self-esteem, team working and confidence and focuses on crime reduction.
"There certainly were some young girls who by taking part reduced their risk of crime and offending."
To sponsor the school for Rock Challenge 2009 call Keith Martin on 01243 602767 or email.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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