West Ranch is home to many different clubs that allow students to express themselves artistically. One that stands out is West Ranch’s Hip Hop Club. The club serves as a community, allowing members to freely exercise their passions through choreographed dances and music.
Practice for the club is located in the West Ranch dance room on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. During sessions, West Ranch Junior and Club President Madison Lee and other officers teach members new choreographed dances. Lee explained that “[officers] run practices and give feedback to the members so that they can be at their best whenever they perform.”
To showcase their talents and skills learned during weekly practices, the club performs at school rallies and events. Sophomore member Angeli Garcia commented, “Even though I’m nervous before every performance, I feel like each time, it makes a really good memory for my other friends and I in hop hop.”
Additionally, the club regularly hosts workshops to encourage interested students, experienced or not, to join. During these workshops, they teach new choreographed dances inspired by trending songs made by modern pop artists.
Many club members see dancing as a way to reduce stress caused by work overload. “When overwhelmed from classes, learning new dances and being in the Hip Hop environment helps me relieve stress.” Junior Sophia Eumi Masiddo detailed. She further explained that she sees “it as a source of both excitement and relief.”
While some students who joined the club have had past experiences with dancing, others have not, so joining hip hop meant that they would be dancing in front of people for the first time. “I initially joined hip hop to get out of my comfort zone, which I was having a difficult time doing at that time,” Senior Micaela Peralta, the club’s co-manager, expressed. “I wanted to try something new.”
Hip Hop Club has not only allowed students to step out of their comfort zone, but has also given them a way to express themselves in ways they couldn’t before. “The energy I have in hip hop has helped me to express who I am as a person in my personal life with friends and family,” Garcia revealed. “I get to explore a lot of what I can do when I dance.”
West Ranch’s Hip Hop Club allows students to convey their creativity through collaboration and practice. Whether it be performing at rallies, school games, or in the comfort of the dance room, these members continue to contribute to the Wildcat spirit with their determination and passion.
Cats, be sure to check out the club’s Instagram, @wrhshiphop, to see their awesome work – and try not to miss their next workshop!
