A flurry of dancers move backstage in the Millikan Auditorium, waiting to take the stage. The energy in the auditorium is electric with excitement as numerous dancers from different parts of Long Beach are getting ready to perform. They’re all here at Millikan to dance and to share their passion at the Millikan Dance Invitational. This is the energy that the Millikan Dance Program focuses on as they continue prepping for their annual dance Invitational.
A dance invitational is when a school or studio invites other dance studios to share their dances in a non-competitive environment. This year, Millikan has invited nine studios from different parts of Long Beach to share their dances on the Millikan stage on October 30th at 6:30 PM. The Millikan Advanced team will be performing two dances and Intermediate 5/6 teams will be performing one dance at Invitational. The Millikan Dance Youth Clinic dancers will also be performing a piece.
Over the past eight years, the Invitational has always had a theme that emphasizes one major concept, community. This year’s theme is “Better Together, Stronger as One.”
Mrs. Jennifer Waters, the director of the Millikan dance program, says, “The Invitational plays a big role in building community because it brings dancers from different places and styles together in a positive and supportive environment.”
An Invitational is not meant to show which studio has the best dances or best dancers. It’s not a competition like other sporting events. It is meant to showcase the diversity of dance in our own Long Beach community. Mrs. Waters also added that this Invitational helps expose our own Millikan dancers to different dance styles, so our dancers are open-minded and versatile.
“The benefits of hosting and attending is definitely being able to watch your teammates dance in other routines that you’re not in. It’s fun to watch your friends dance and see them move in their studio’s style,” says Lisa Lauloto, a COMPASS senior on Advanced Dance.
Lucy Green, a QUEST senior on Advanced Dance, said, “It’s incredible to be in an environment where everyone is cheering each other on.”
“Invitational” as it is lovingly referred to by Millikan dance and supporters of dance in our community will be hosted in the Millikan auditorium, but it will not be like one of the dance program’s seasonal recitals. The Dance Program will be having their Holiday show and assembly in December which will just be Millikan dancers. Millikan students can attend this show during the school day and will also be able to attend the Spring Show when it comes around.
“When the dance community comes together magic is made!” says Lucy, so come witness this magic! Tickets to Invitational are on sale now for $11 on GoFan.com. So come support our Millikan dancers and their studios by coming to Invitational on Wednesday October 30th at 6:30 PM in the auditorium!
Nora Naujoks • Oct 30, 2024 at 9:30 pm
On October 29, 2024, Aubrey Calderon Worte an article titled “movement Moves Us together”. This article gives a deeper insight into the Millikan dance movement and Invitational. It explains the purpose of the Millikan Dance Invitational and how it brings dancers from different studios together. By sharing quotes from Advanced Dance Team members like Lisa Lauloto and Lucy Green, the article shows how the Invitational is more than just a show- it’s about building a supportive dance community. And the enthusiasm and community spirit captured in this piece is both inspiring and heartwarming, truly emphasizing the power of dance to bring people together.
The Theme “Better Together, Stronger as one,” highlights how tis event is not about competition. Instead, it lets dancers cheer each other on and enjoy the different dance styles. It’s great to read about how positive and welcoming the Invitational is, creating a space where dancers can feel supported and inspired.
Including quotes from experienced dancers helps readers understand what the event really is about and why it matters to the community. This article is both helpful and encouraging, showing why its worth coming to the Invitational to support the dancers and celebrate their hard work.
Ava Bowman • Oct 30, 2024 at 1:47 pm
This article informs Millikan students about the upcoming Millikan Dance Show and gives us insight of what will be showcased at the event. Calderon provides us with many details of what an Invitational is and explains to us that this show will not only be Millikan dancers, but also includes dancers from nine different studios across Long Beach. Furthermore, she adds a quote from Jennifer Waters, who is the director of Millikan Dance, saying “The Invitational plays a big role in building community because it brings dancers from different places and styles together in a positive and supportive environment.” This quote emphasizes the morals of how vital the invitational is and how it showcases so many different styles of dance in a positive way. Calderon also adds in quotes from Millikan Advance dancers because it provides different perspectives of what the show means to them. My favorite quote Calderon added was from Millikan Advanced Dancer Lucy Green, who said, “When the dance community comes together magic is made.” This quote shows what a privilege it is to be in the dance community and how it’s truly amazing when dancers come together to perform. Overall, Calderon’s news article was very informative and provided a lot of insight into the Millikan dance show and the dance community.
Danielle Haskell • Oct 29, 2024 at 3:22 pm
This article provides a glimpse into the world of dance that comes together to celebrate each other which many students are not aware goes on within Millikan’s campus. Calderon dives into the topic of the upcoming Millikan Dance Invitational; expressing the unity and beauty there is in having a non-competitive event to immerse oneself in the endless styles that Long Beach dance studios hold. The article is an informative, clear, and concise way to gain insight into the way dancers can support each other no matter where they practice their art. While the article lacks slight fluidity to engage audiences that are not connected to the world of dance, the spotlights from various Advanced dancers reestablish the community on which the Invitational is founded as well as create a profound example of credibility to enhance her point on genuine commitment to the group.
Comparisons between events that occur solely within the Millikan Dance Program and the annual Dance Invitational produce a more precise picture for readers to understand how incredible it is when groups that are spread all over Long Beach can come together to cheer each other on and learn from one another. This too makes the point that the Millikan Dance Program has the versatility to work as a team within the school community and even more as an entire Long Beach family with a deep passion for dance. Further, the article utilizes a quote from compassionate dance director Mrs. Waters to give the audience a perspective of authority who can testify to the cohesiveness and camaraderie between Millikan dancers. The article is a well-thought-out and descriptive piece that truly encapsulates the uniformity and spirit of the dance program, especially during the Invitational.
`Savannah Thy • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:49 pm
This article was extremely clear when relaying that the purpose of Millikan Dance’s Invitational is to build unity within the dance community. Aubrey beautifully stated that this event is not meant to be competitive but to allow dancers to cheer each other on. This was important to mention because as a dancer it is very obvious to myself and others that there is constant competition happening whether it’s at dance competitions, conventions, or even at your own studio. Like many athletes in other sports, dancers are constantly comparing themselves to each other. So Millikan’s annual invitational is a way to focus on the fact that everyone there shares the same passion!
The author also displays that this event is also meant to showcase the diversity within dance. Many dancers think that their technique (turns, jump, and more) is what sets them apart from others, however it is your style that distinguishes your unique qualities. All dancers have something unique about themselves like their musicality, dynamics, and much more that are able to be showcased during this event. Aubrey outstandingly uses her interviews to support this by mentioning that this event allows dancers to be “open-minded and versatile.”
Overall, Aubrey does an exquisite job highlighting that Millikan’s invitational is a force to be reckoned with. Her passion for this topic is shown throughout the entirety of the article through the diction she uses to describe the event. It was very well thought out from the interviews of actual Millikan dancers to the ticket prices of the show.
Reese Lao • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:38 pm
This paper dives into the details of the Millikan Dance Invitational for 2024. At 6:30 on October 30, 2024, there will be an event held in the Millikan Auditorium. This occasion will play a role in bringing the dance community of Long Beach together. Calderon includes the theme for this year which is “Better Together, Stronger as One”. To further support this idea, she refers to words from the director of the Millikan dance program, Mrs. Jennifer Walters. Walters is someone who is familiar with what this invitational is all about. By including a statement about the goal of the event from a person of authority and experience within the program, Calderon adds credibility to her assertions.
Furthermore, this article does an admirable job of putting the Millikan Dance Invitational into an excellent light. She highlights the fact that on this occasion, there is a constant supportive environment even though all the dancers come from different areas. She supports this idea with words coming straight from the dancers that participate in it. In addition, Calderon stresses that this event does a phenomenal job of showcasing the diversity of Long Beach. After reading these statements, it is more likely that the reader will purchase a ticket and attend the event.
Gissel Fang • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:37 pm
This article is an informative and creative way of letting the Millikan community know about the details and purpose of hosting the Annual Dance Invitational. This article was written to provide us with specific details about this dance invitational where it is advanced dance and intermediate 5/6 dance that are performing along with 9 other studios. It gives many dancers an opportunity to showcase their dance abilities without the worry or doubt that there are people criticizing their potential. Additionally, Aubrey Calderon provides this article with many quotes from the Millikan dancers about this specific dance show as Lily Lauloto one of the advanced dancers at Millikan expresses herself by saying “The benefits of hosting and attending is definitely being able to watch your teammates dance in other routines that you’re not in” which is the key purpose of this dance show. This provides credibility to establish a strong piece of evidence and it elevates the writing piece as she uses personal thoughts of the dancers that are a part of Millikan dance. It is meant as a way to bring the Long Beach community together in a style of art that most people aren’t used to but will enjoy as an authentic piece of unity. The editor also adds the price of the dance as well as the location and where to buy tickets to help bring in more people to come out and watch this dance invitational which is very beneficial because more people are likely to go since there are specific details about this Invitational. Lastly, the use of strong diction such as “magic” or “incredible” really ties this article together by emphasizing the reasons as to why this dance is so important to the community and why we should really go and show our appreciation.
Hailey Sawday • Oct 29, 2024 at 1:20 pm
This well crafted article is made to promote the upcoming Millikan Dance Invitational and raise awareness about this event. The author describes the importance of hosting an invitational as it creates a non-competitive and positive environment. Dancers from all over Long Beach are able to come together and showcase what they work on at their home studios. She mentions how the exposure from this event is not only beneficial to the dancers, but also the studios and their owners. Aubrey Calderon provides multiple comments from those on the dance team, and from the dance director Mrs. Waters. By doing so it provides first hand sources that are enticing to the reader and motivate them to stop by.
Throughout the article the theme of community is prevalent and Calderon emphasizes how events such as these are necessary in order to become united. The article ends with further awareness on the Millikan Dance Program and provides a few examples of upcoming performances. Overall this is a clear and concise article that provides knowledge of what the Long Beach dance community is up to in October.
Adysen Domingo • Oct 29, 2024 at 10:01 am
On October 29, 2024, Aubrey Calderon wrote an article titled “Movement Moves Us Together”. This article gives insight into the Millikan Dance department and dives deeper into the Millikan Dance Invitational. Moreover, she embraces the details of the Invitational showcase and expresses how it can bring the dance community together. She uses reliable sources from creditable dancers on the Advanced Dance team and explains specifically who is performing at the show.
This article is well written and effectively provides a brief background on what the Invitational is and how the dance community comes together. It is memorable that she explains how this show is meant to bring a positive and supportive environment to the stage. Unlike usual dance competitions, the Invitational allows for dancers to enjoy their friends’ dance and witness diversity in the dance world.
Utilizing quotes from Advanced Dancers is beneficial since the dancers can explain their experiences in past Invitationals and can provoke other dancers to come watch the show. It is important to show this credibility as it enhances the reliability of the article.
Adeline Melena • Oct 29, 2024 at 9:54 am
On October 22, 2024, Aubrey Calderon wrote an article titled “Movement Moves Us Together”. This article informs Million students about the annual dance Invitational that allows the dancers from Millikan advanced team and other programs to showcase their skills and passion. Calderon provides quotes from the Millikan dance teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Waters, which emphasizes the morals of the dance program and the quotes from girls on the dance team, provide different perspectives showcasing a close relationship between the dancers.
My favorite feature of the article is the quote from Mrs. Jennifer Waters, “It’s not a competition like other sporting events. It is meant to showcase the diversity of dance in our Long Beach community.” This helps to establish credibility on behalf of the author’s exigence which is to persuade the audience to purchase tickets to the invitational to watch the electric dancers and their unique dance styles perform. This article was clear and demonstrated information on the invitational, which I was unaware took place at Millikan. Overall, Calderon’s news article was intriguing and provided an insight to the tight knit community that Millikan dancers share.
Shari Calderon • Oct 22, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Excellent article, Aubrey! We’ll be there to support all the dancers from Millikan and beyond!