By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hands were waving, feet were moving and smiles were bright Monday as students from Styles Dance Centre in Hays practiced with DSNWK clients for a special recital set for Sunday.
The event, Dancing Together, is back this year after a break because of COVID. The recital will be at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Forty-four DSWK clients will participate in the recital.
Although the event had been organized by Fort Hays State University students in the past, this year two seniors from Thomas More Prep-Marian stepped up to lead the event for their senior capstone project, which is a service project for students at TMP.
Karlyn Rohr and Arin Schibi have both been dancing since they were little girls and have been long-time students at Styles Dance Centre. Both girls have participated in the recital before.
Rohr said she enjoys working with the DSNWK clients.
"They're so fun," she said. "They're so positive. They love to dance."
Schibi said she loves participating in the event and is excited about working with Styles and DSNWK to bring the event back to Hays.
"It's fun to go from being the dancer to now organizing it," she said. "It's eye-opening how much work goes into it. It's been a good experience."
Rohr is an instructor at Styles and hopes to continue working with younger dancers.
Schibi said she hopes to try out for a dance team when she goes to college.
Steve Keil, DSNWK director of development, said DSNWK always appreciates opportunities for their clients to be involved in the community.
"This gives them an opportunity to be able to do something they have never really been able to do before — a chance to be up on stage, a chance to dance. A lot of them really love this event," Keil said.
Admission will be a freewill donation to DSNWK. There also will be a basket raffle.
