Athletes To Shine At SO Ceremonies

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Special Olympics Hawaii athletes are getting into the groove of dancing, thanks to 24-VII Danceforce and a unique class at its Windward Mall studio.

“HeartBeat” began seven weeks of lessons March 25, pairing Special Olympics athletes one-on-one with choreographers and 24-VII dancers. The program culminates May 25 with the students performing a special routine at the opening ceremonies for the 2007 Special Olympics Hawaii State Summer Games.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” said Sharon Weathers of 24-VII. “The dancers have learned patience and humility. The athletes are just having a wonderful time. Dance is really good for them. It’s a good social outlet for them.”

About a year ago, a dancer in the Kaneohe-based company was looking to do a community service project. It just so happens that Weathers’ son has been a Special Olympics athlete for about four years, and her husband, Greg, is an SOH coach. The suggestion was made to tie the community service in with dancing and SOH. Thus “HeartBeat” was born.

“Everybody thought it would be a good concept,” said Greg.

Now in its fourth week of one-hour sessions, Heartbeat has attracted 20 athletes and about 40 volunteer dancers and choreographers to help them out. The athletes have a varying range of intellectual disabilities, from autism to Down syndrome.

Besides the Weathers family, 24-VII Danceforce founder and creative director Marcelo Pacleb is excited to see it all come together. “He’s (Pacleb) actually been wanting to do something like that for quite some time,” said Sharon Weathers. “He’s really excited.”

Both Sharon and Greg are hopeful that this program can continue after May 25, with the athletes continuing to come to the studio to not only learn dances, but become better able to express themselves through this creative art.

“It opens up a new avenue for them (the athletes) and for the dancers,” said Greg Weathers. “Parents of athletes are really happy about it. It’s a good deal.”