By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
An event coming in March will celebrate inclusion with dance.
Dancing Together for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is a vibrant dance recital in Hays.
The free event, which will take place on March 2 at the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University, begins with raffle sales at 4 p.m. and ends with the show at 5 p.m.
DSNWK, Styles Dance Centre and two high school students are leading the event to raise funds and awareness for individuals with disabilities.
Hays High School senior Allison Dreiling and Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Macara Rohr have long participated in Dancing Together and are now choreographing and planning the event.
"Music is such a good thing for individuals with disabilities, and it just reaches a different part of their brain. They all love it so much," Dreiling said.
"Getting to see their faces is so much fun," Rohr said. "Getting to be more a part of it was a big thing for me."
Dancing Together includes a raffle with donated baskets from local businesses and community members. Proceeds benefit DSNWK's Spring Fling, an annual gathering for individuals with disabilities across 18 counties.
Raffle prizes include coolers, sneakers and gift cards. Tickets are priced at $1 each, $5 for six and $20 for 25.
Styles Dance Centre owner Alyssa DeChant said the event originated from a Fort Hays State University leadership class. It has since grown into an annual tradition and is Rohr's chosen class project with assistance from Dreiling.
"It really is inspiring. It's truly my favorite show of our season," DeChant said.
The Dancing Together event has been in the works since December and brings together participants ages 5 to 60 as they prepare to take the stage for their big performance.
Alison Krier of DSNWK said their clients were excited when they learned about the practice. They asked about it daily until they arrived at the center to rehearse in large and small groups.
"They have a blast when they get here. They're very excited," Krier said. "They enjoy meeting all of the different partners that they get assigned with, being able to have a fun day out of classes and day services."
Steve Keil, DSNWK's development director, enjoys watching connections form between the dancers and the individuals his organization serves.
"Inclusion is a real possibility. Inclusion is part of how we should be as a community and society," Keil said.
You can follow DSNWK and Styles Dance Centre on Facebook.
