Photo By Kristen Wong | The Apache Belles and Marine Corps Base Hawaii girls perform a number in an evening...... read more read more
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KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii - Proud base parents whipped out their video
cameras as their daughters performed at the base theater with the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, March 9.
It was their first performance here. The Texas-based dance team last visited Hawaii in 2004.
The Belles performed at the USS Missouri earlier in the week before holding a clinic known as “Belle Babes,” for girls ages 4 to 12
on base.
The Belles spent several hours teaching the girls a dance routine, and the following day performed the routine with them for their parents. Jasilyn Schaefer, director, Apache Belles, said hosting the Belle Babes event benefits the girls through exercise and positive reinforcement.
Once base resident Amanda Brown heard about the Apache Belles coming to visit, she wanted to register her daughter for the clinic.
Brown, of Toole, Texas, went to the clinics herself as a child. She said she used to feel “cooler and older” by hanging out with the Apache Belles.
Belle Babes is a regular biannual fundraiser for the Belles, but during their visit to the base, the workshop was free. Schaefer said they
chose to perform here as a token of appreciation to the military for their service.
She said a number of the girls in the group have loved ones currently serving in the military. Schaefer’s husband is a Navy reservist who recently returned from Afghanistan.
“It’s an honor to perform for the troops who serve for us everyday,” said Apache Belle Cassie Colston, 18.
Colston, of Denton, Texas, said her grandfather was in the military and stationed in Hawaii after the end of World War II. When she told him she would be traveling to Hawaii he jumped out of his seat, and tears sprung to his eyes. She said it meant so much to her grandfather, who felt lonely while a service member in Hawaii, and didn’t get to see much of the “outside world.” She said her grandfather remarked it would have been a pleasure to have performers come to Hawaii when he was here.
The Apache Belles have been performing for audiences since 1947, at various venues including the Super Bowl, high school football games, and parades.
“The Apache Belles are a precision dance team with Texas flair,” said Melody Woodard, head dance captain of the Apache Belles.
Every member of the Apache Belles is a full time freshman or sophomore at Tyler Junior College, and must take a minimum of 12 credit hours of classes.
Woodard said one of the challenges to being an Apache Belle is balancing school work with practice. The Belles practice five days a week in the morning and on various days in the afternoon.
“It’s really about time management,” Woodard said.
Schaefer said the Belles raised money for this trip, working part time jobs, selling ads to local businesses and holding fundraisers.
“They’ve had an amazing time,” Schaefer said.
Schaefer said for some of the girls, this is the first time traveling to Hawaii. She said the Belles visited the USS Arizona Memorial for the first time, and being able to see something they’ve only been able to read in history books “really hit home with a lot of them.”
Woodard, of Sunnyvale, Texas, has been dancing her whole life, and before the Apache Belles, danced at her high school in a similar
group. She said the Apache Belles gave her a chance to “do something I love and be part of Texas history.”
Woodard said she is honored to perform in a “very beautiful” place like Hawaii.
“We’re just very, very excited to be here,” Woodard said.
Apache Belle Courtney Hall was visiting Hawaii for the first time and loved it. The 19-year-old from Spring, Texas, has been in more than 30 performances. After working with the Marine Corps Base Hawaii girls, Hall said they were upbeat and learned quickly.
“It’s been really fun,” Hall said. “They’re all really sweet.”
The young ladies on base not only danced with the girls, but had some time to color pictures with them, and socialize.
“It’s fun and you get to learn new things and meet new people,” said base resident Jillian Caldwell, 9, who attended the clinic.
Caldwell said she signed up for the clinic because she enjoys being on stage and dancing, and the clinic sounded fun.
She said one of the most challenging moves was the jeté leap, a French ballet move involving a leap and split in midair. Hannah
Himel, 7, said the hardest part about learning to dance with the Belles was the turning.
Bianca Perera, 7, said the best part about meeting the Apache Belles was coloring with them. But she also enjoyed doing a dance move called “the twist.”
On performance night, the girls put on black and gold costumes and danced to songs such as “Somebody to Love” by Justin Bieber, and “Who loves you?” by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Megan Belovarac, 9, and her sisters all performed with the Apache Belles. Belovarac said she wanted to participate in the clinic because her family is also from Texas. Although she said it was scary dancing on stage, she had a good time.
Belovarac’s sister, Kate, 9, was excited to perform on stage. She said she attended the workshop because it was fun and entertaining, although practicing the dance moves was difficult.
“It’s been amazing,” Colston said. “I’m never going to be able to find an experience to compare [to this visit].”
| Date Taken: | 03.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2011 14:13 |
| Story ID: | 67303 |
| Location: | KANEOHE BAY, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 370 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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