Boys & Girls Club

Katie McKinnel has started as the Arts Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Elkhart County this month. She has enjoyed getting to know the children in Middlebury and looks forward to working with them more. Recently Katie taught a lesson about the American artist Alma Thomas. They looked at examples of her work and had the opportunity to create their own paper mosaic. The children enjoyed getting to know Katie, hear about the new artist, and create their own masterpieces.

106 W. WARREN • P.O. BOX 157

MIDDLEBURY, IN 46540

Holding our breathes... hoping, wishing and praying we would have a season. Our hearts were broken March 13, 2020 when the pandemic shut down and canceled our State Finals of 2020 along with many other things. So many questions were circulating – but Cassandra Nordman, NRDT Dance director and owner of CK Dance Company, was determined to find a way. “As long as they want to dance, I will find a way to make it happen!” said Nordman.

In August 2020 CK Dance Company moved into their own facility to continue teaching all ages as well as give the NRDT program a “home” to be able use to practice. Due to COVID, MCS was unable to rent its facilities to the NRDT program which made another obstacle to overcome. These dancers compete on a full size gym floor, but thankfully they were able to make it all work between their NEW Studio space and a private Sports Barn graciously offered to the teams to use this season.

Many obstacles were navigated thru as NRDT followed CDC guidelines, contact tracing, quarantines, etc. The stress was unbearable at times, but the dancers and staff continued to “chin up” and push forward.

One week after becoming Regional Champions in Middle School HipHop, High School HipHop , High School Jazz and Regional Runner-up in High School Pom this program was hit with a devastating blow. Five of their healthy competition dancers were quarantined due to contact tracing, taking them out of State Finals 2021. This left the coaches, dancers, and parents heartbroken and lost....this devastating news came five days prior to State Finals. Routines had to be reformed and rechoreographed, emotions were high and hearts were heavy. This pandemic has taken away so much, but it has not taken away the drive and passion the NRDT dancers and coaches have.

NRDT floored their best performances possible on March 14 as that is all they could ask for! Seeing these kids push thru while staying connected with their quarantined teammates via FaceTime was a true example of a “dance family.” Ending their competition season as AA HipHop State Champions, 4th in AA Jazz , 4th in AA Pom and 6th in JHA Hip Hop is more than they could have ever hoped for.

This is what TEAMWORK looks like – never give up on your dreams!

- Northern Regional Champions - IHSDTA State Champions & Programs Highest Score to date ~83.25!

Season Ending Recital will be May 1 at the Lerner Theatre Callout Meeting for 2021-2022 Tryouts will be May 20 Email: ckdanz@hotmail.com for more information