BYUH Ballroom Dance Club members say they look forward to participating in club activities despite difficult times
Photo of Sadie Madriaga and Autumn Barraclough
The presidency and members of the BYU-Hawaii Ballroom Club said they were doing their best to virtually unite their club. They said they continued to motivate and serve each other during unprecedented times and called on students to join and participate.
Club president Abby Boswell, a junior from Canada who specializes in teaching physics and mathematics, said: “Students always strive to be a part of the university and its mission statement by learning secular things like dancing, but also sharing scriptures and testimonies.
“They are eager to be a part of something even when times are tough and are not normal,” she added.
Dancing virtually
Boswell said the club are planning exciting activities, including events with guests outside of BYUH, she said, which will be announced on the club’s social media pages.
She explained that the club stays active through weekly Zoom meetings where they hold dance lessons and tutorials and make video clips. They also share ideas and scriptures to motivate and build member testimonials, she said.
“Right now, as a club, we have dance lessons and tutorials and are doing a dance clip together, which will premiere in the next few weeks,” she added.
“I love to dance,” Gorham said. “I’m not good at it, but it’s something that excites me. During this pandemic, I have learned to appreciate the times when I can do things that I am passionate about. ”
Gorham continued, “We record ourselves dancing and then send it to our chairman, who edits and puts them all together. It creates [togetherness] within the group.
“These activities have helped us to feel welcomed, united, uplifted and strengthened,” he said.
Mission and purpose
Makaiah Gorham, a freshman from Canada specializing in business marketing, said, “From what I understand from BYUH’s mission, this club is fully correlated. It brings together nationalities of all kinds. It helps us get out of our comfort zones and do something better, and it prepares us for when we’re married and need to know how to dance.
Boswell explained, “The motto ‘Come in to learn, go forward to serve’ applies to your experience here on campus. Joining or being a part of chapters like this allows you to do just that.
Speaking of the club’s leadership, Gorham said, “This club is amazing. I’m not on the presidency myself, but our presidency is great. I have never felt so welcome to be so awkward to dance.
Boswell said, “This is a dance chapter that students can join to learn dances like jiving, cha-cha, waltz and more. It is designed so that students of all dance backgrounds, from no dance experience to very experienced, can join in and have fun.
“However, it is more than a club. It is a community that students can join and be a part of and learn from one another. This is where we strive to be like the Savior and serve those that we meet, to love those around us and to offer our help when needed, ”added Boswell.
Club member Gina Antonella Escalante Delgato, a first year student from Peru majoring in psychology, said: “I love everyone’s welcome and for me this ties into the purpose of BYUH.
“In our diversity, we find unity through dance. I would say we can contemplate the majesty of God’s creation through diversity, ”said Delgato.
Motivated to participate
Boswell said she understood the complexity of the current unprecedented time and added, “I think, in a way, everyone feels the struggle of being disconnected in a lot of obvious ways. This chapter is a good one. vehicle to keep us all socially connected.
“For me, being part of this club means being part of a community within BYUH, which means it is an opportunity to serve those I meet through this path and to meet new people and create new new connections. ”
Delgato added, “I promise you that by participating in these tutorials and dance activities in the club, you will feel the good energy and strength of others, and it can help you overcome the challenges and maybe the stress that you could have.”
Boswell said, “The advice I would give to anyone considering joining, starting or starting a club is the same as the Nike company statement, ‘Do it’.
“At first I was hesitant about how this semester would go if we were doing the ballroom. [virtually], but the members of the presidency were so supportive and excited to take up the challenge and provide this service [and] opportunities for new and current students. And so far it’s been great, ”she added.
Gorham vouched for Boswell’s advice and said the presidency was doing a great job. He also encouraged students looking for a good group of friends to join.
Boswell said, “Consult with us and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, event ideas or would like to join us. We’re always looking for suggestions, guest speakers, and involvement from the BYUH community.
Students can find the BYUH Ballroom Dance Chapter on Facebook at the BYUH Ballroom Dance Chapter and Instagram @byuh_ballrom. To register, go to byuh.campuslabs.com/engage/.
