Antrim Elementary Students Participate in New Hampshire Dance Institute’s Residency Program

For immediate release

PETERBOROUGH — Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders and Principal Stephanie Syre-Hager are pleased to announce that the New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI) visited Antrim Elementary School to empower students and teach them how to dance. 

From March 28 to April 1, students in grades K-4 practiced high-energy dance routines focused on social-emotional learning and a growth mindset, taught by NHDI members. The theme of the week-long dance residency was “The Finish Line,” inspired by Clarence DeMar, a seven-time Boston Marathon champion, educator, and longtime resident of New Hampshire.

The residency was designed to inspire students to conquer tasks both big and small, and increase confidence so that they succeed in and out of the classroom. 

Students showcased their dance moves in front of parents and loved ones at a performance on Friday, April 1, in the Great Brook School gymnasium. The performance told the story through dance of a teacher who encourages a student to use grit and determination to train for and win a race. The teacher role was played by ConVal music and art teacher Carole Storro and the student role was played by fourth-grader Connor Grandmaison.

NHDI has visited the school yearly since 2009, but visits were put on pause for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Dancing is a great way to promote fun, build confidence and inspire creativity. Our students showed grit and determination all week as they practiced their routines, which culminated into a fantastic final performance,” Principal Syre-Hager said. “Thank you to all the members of NHDI for teaching our students so many great skills about dancing and beyond, and incorporating our school’s core value of grit into the performance.”

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