HOLLY HILL, S.C. — Holly Hill youth are developing their literacy skills through movement. They are using dance as a form of expression while becoming better learners through free dance classes.
“When the children come to this library and they see books with different types of dance, now they have the opportunity to learn where those dances come from, the background of the dances, the countries, the costumes, what the meaning is," said dance director Vanessa Febres.
Local dance company Supreme Dance Studio has partnered with the Holly Hill library to offer the classes for free to children under 16.
The CDC links physical activity to improved brain function. It says this is because scientists have found the areas of the brain that control memory and skills such as planning and organizing improve with exercise.
Febres says although the dancers are finding their footing with no prior experience, they've grown both as dancers and as a team.
“In this small community, there are not many different outlets and every child has a different interest, so this is just providing one more thing to these young ladies," said Febres.
Each dancer is also gifted a book from the library to learn more about the art form. The dance team is preparing for an upcoming recital in Holly Hill this summer.
For more information, contact the Holly Hill Library at (803) 496-7177.