DanceUp Fall 2015 - Newsletter of The Wooden Floor

up dance NEWS FROM THE WOODEN FLOOR

Local schools moved by Dance Free Weeks pg. 8

Making a toast to keep our promise pg. 10

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F A L L

Class of 2009 achieves college degrees together pg. 4

danceup

Welcome to our brand new

up dance Dawn S. Reese Executive Director & Co-CEO

Fall is a time of new beginnings at The Wooden Floor, when students arrive back after a brief summer break. Our students will tell you that it’s a balance to manage the rigor of their participation here with high academic demands. They will also tell you it is worth it, because The Wooden Floor is here to provide a firm foundation to help them and their families navigate the pivotal transitions from elementary, to middle, and then to high school.

While our graduation and college enrollment rate of 100% is remarkable, we are an everevolving organization, and we need to do more and do it earlier, in order to keep our students college competitive. Public schools in California have the lowest counseling ratios in the country, at 945 students to every one counselor, according to the California College Guidance Initiative. While this is a startling statistic, filling this gap is where The Wooden Floor makes a real difference.

This September, our College and Career Readiness Programs will begin in 6th grade to help students create a vision for higher education with one-on-one monthly check-ins with their own personal staff mentor. To expand our parent engagement efforts for 3rd and 4th graders, we have partnered with the Orange County Business Council to provide their 10 Academic Commandments workshop, as part of the Latino Education Attainment Initiative. Our high schoolto-college transition programs, called The Next StepŠ, will now also provide 9th-12th graders with AP Level tutors, and even more life skills for college and beyond.

There is also something new for you, our supporters. DanceUp™ has been reinvigorated to provide you with more inspirational stories and pictures of our students participating in all of the activities that you generously provide to them.

Keeping to our value of stewardship, we were able to provide the new format at below the cost of our old version. Most importantly, you will see our mission in action and how we collectively keep the promise to each student: From here, you can step anywhere.

With gratitude,

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The Wooden Floor

Mission

Moment

Members of the Class of 2016 snap a photo next to UCSD’s mascot, King Triton, during our Summer College Tour Week.

Before applying to college, our students got a feel for campuses around Southern California. Other schools visited included Chapman University, CSU Los Angeles, UC Irvine, UCLA, USC, and CSU San Diego.

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In the First Person

A Circle of Friends

from The Wooden Floor

Class of 2009 4

Diana, Evelyn, Esbeydy, Rocio, and Yesenia (not pictured) are five of the 21 alumni from The Wooden Floor’s Class of 2009. The bond they made while attending the organization for nearly a decade continues today. Like many of our alumni, they encouraged each other through college, and now, all five have earned their bachelor's degree.

“At The Wooden Floor, I learned to believe in myself and learned to believe in the power of how a community can help. The Wooden Floor assisted me with the support I needed to apply and be accepted to college. Even though I wasn't able to attend a four-year university right after high school because of financial issues, I knew I'd be okay because The Wooden Floor was behind me supporting me every step of the way. Fast forward five years, I am a UCLA grad and on my way to earn my master’s degree at Cal State Long Beach. I thank The Wooden Floor and the people I met there for sparking my ambition to dream big.” -Yesenia, UC Los Angeles Class of 2013, BA Psychology

The Wooden Floor

“The Wooden Floor and the friends we made here want the best for you. They push you to succeed, to try hard. We all pushed each other to finish college.

We have seen each other grow a lot. We have celebrated three graduations together–high school, community college, and university. And more to come!” –Esbeydy, CSU Fullerton Class of 2014, BS Health Sciences “We created a community and carried it outside of The Wooden Floor. I think minority youth like us don’t easily have a sense of empowerment. The Wooden Floor helps you find that power within yourself, so you can see yourself being able to do great things.”

–Diana, UC Los Angeles Class of 2014, BA Psychology “This group of friends I met at The Wooden Floor has served as my support system to make my dreams come true. They gave me help, and through them, I was able to discover my passion. We all have different

personalities, but we complete each other. And now, after knowing each other for 13 years, we all have graduated college.” –Rocio, CSU Long Beach Class of 2015, BFA Dance “At The Wooden Floor, we were able to surround ourselves with ambitious friends. I’ve seen people in the wrong crowd and where they ended up. I like to show off my friends from The Wooden Floor!

I’m proud of them. We all want each other to be strong women. We made a deep connection through dance and movement, which impacted the way we treat each other. It is a community that allows kids, from a young age, to find their inner voice through movement, which transfers to success in life. It is a great place to develop.” –Evelyn, CSU Long Beach Class of 2015, BFA Dance

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Newsfeed Snapshots of our youth in motion.

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@TheWoodenFloor

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STUDENT SHOWCASE: Marking the end of the summer session, parents were invited to witness what their students accomplished in their dance classes.

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LEADERSHIP WILDERNESS CAMPS: Our goal is to expose our students to new ideas and experiences. This summer, students ventured into nature for leadership and team-building exercises at partner camps in Yosemite Sierra and Thousand Pines.

Pictured here, students ride an outrigger in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.

EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE DURING SUMMER: Students learned about aerodynamic force during our Summer Learning Workshop for Math and Science. These workshops allow our students to stay challenged academically and are something their families normally could not afford.

The Wooden Floor

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NEW ORIGINAL WORKS: Three thought-provoking new pieces were premiered at our 32nd Annual Concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Here, Class of 2015 dancer Elizabeth Gonzalez performs a solo during guest choreographer John Heginbotham’s Skylight.

FAMILY HEALTH FAIR: Because most of our families have limited access to quality health care, we partnered with Illumination Foundation, Kids Vision for Life Orange County, Healthy Smiles OC, and Serve the People to host a health fair offering free screenings and consultations.

Here, community partner Kids Vision for Life Orange County distributes free eye glasses.

Know a child who needs us?

On The Wooden Floor’s Annual Audition Day, staff members and volunteers brace themselves for a day filled with great emotion.

For the approximately one-in-four students who make it into our organization, there is an uplifting excitement, knowing their potential will be fulfilled. For those we do not have the space to serve, our staff musters the strength to tell them to try again and encourage them to keep the sense of accomplishment they felt that day. Those youth remind us that we are called to serve more. We know what we do works, and because of that, the Board and staff are actively exploring the right ways to increase our impact by serving more young people and their families in Orange County. We encourage you to come by or volunteer on our Audition Day, so you can see first-hand how much our community needs The Wooden Floor.

Annual Audition Day Saturday, October 17, 2015 8:30am-1:30pm Parents interested in enrolling their child may visit www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Auditions or call 714.541.8314 ext. 128 for more information in English and Spanish.

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Local school districts moved by Dance Free Weeks Armando Gutierrez Assistant Principal Willard Intermediate School Mr. Gutierrez has worked with The Wooden Floor to bring our community engagement program Dance Free Weeks to James Russell Lowell, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Martin R. Heninger Elementary schools in Santa Ana.

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"I am a big supporter of the arts, especially in low-income or urban settings, for kids who otherwise would not get to explore their talents. The quality of The Wooden Floor’s Dance Free Weeks is exceptional–every experience has been great. I see those shy kids find their spark through dancing. Some students may not receive academic recognitions or awards but then start to shine in the arena of dance.

In some students, it ignites that interest to learn.

"I have been an advocate for Dance Free Weeks at every school I have worked at, but it wasn’t until one of my students entered The Wooden Floor’s year-round programs that I fully understood it. The student told me about the about the myriad of resources and support. Then, I would talk to parents and hear about family problems they were going through, and how The Wooden Floor offered

support to move those families out of very tough times. That sold me even more. Once you know what is going on at The Wooden Floor, it is like–wow!"

About Dance Free Weeks Celebrating its 30th year, Dance Free Weeks was launched in an effort to bring dance into disadvantaged schools, free of charge. Under-served students are given access to the arts at a time when arts education is further cut from school programs. Teachers and administrators consistently give praise for our instructors, the quality of the program, and the motivation it fosters within the students.

2015 Dance Free Weeks is underwritten in part by an Investing in the Artist Grant from the City of Santa Ana.

The Wooden Floor

2015-2016 Board of Directors James A. Driscoll, Chairman Community Leader Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, Immediate Past Chairman Partner & CEO, SVA Architects, Inc.

Special thanks to our 2015 Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit Sponsors Upcoming event details on page 10.

Platinum Sponsors Ginnie & Rich Hunsaker

Silver Sponsors Doreen & Jack Bray Crevier Family Fund Pat & John Devine Frome Family Foundation Teri & Alan Hoops Trish & John O'Donnell Ginger & Arthur Ong Jennifer & Jesse Rodriquez Kathy & Chuck Rosenberger Carolyn & Peter Shea Nancy & Geoffrey Stack

Judith F. Posnikoff, PhD Treasurer Managing Director, Pacific Alternative Asset Management Co., LLC Epiphany Owen, Secretary Partner, Government & Regulatory Law, Rutan & Tucker, LLP

Premier Sponsors Joan & Don Beall Janice & John Markley

Gold Sponsors Jane & Jim Driscoll Sharon & Terry Hartshorn Yvonne & Damien Jordan Mary & Gary Tolar Julie & Justin Wilson Nancy & Arn Youngman

Damien M. Jordan, Vice Chairman General Manager, Retired, American Funds/Capital Group Companies, Inc.

Bronze Sponsors Michael K. Hayde Bob & Denise (Vilven) Heenan Guy Johnson Karin Krogius & Scott Mason Kristy Santimyer-Melita & Danny Melita Simon Foundation for Education & Housing Union Bank

Copper Sponsors Cohn & Swartzon Corona del Mar Florist Laura Curran Laurie & Steve Duncan Maryann Finley Johnna & Don Grant James & Sally Knapp Stacy & Jeffrey Stone

Sasha Ayloush Customer Service Manager and Secretary of the Board of Directors, Hydraflow Joan Beall Community Leader Maria Cirese Parent Representative Community Leader Bryan Green Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Sharon Hartshorn Community Leader Virginia Hunsaker Community Leader Yvonne M. Jordan Community Leader Jeremy Krout President and CEO, Environment Planning Development Solutions, Inc.

*As of August 12, 2015.

Catherine M. MacIver Senior Vice President and Process Design Consultant, Bank of America, Consumer Operations Group Danny Melita Community Leader Yvonne R. O’Neill Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management Arthur Ong Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC Dawn S. Reese Executive Director and Co-CEO, The Wooden Floor Melanie Ríos Glaser Artistic Director and Co-CEO, The Wooden Floor Jesse M. Rodriquez, CFP®, CPWA®, CRPC® Senior Vice President – Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services, Inc. Kristy Santimyer-Melita Community Leader Saar Swartzon Principal Attorney, Cohn & Swartzon, P.C. Mary E. Tolar Vice President and Senior Strategic Program Manager, American Funds/ Capital Group Companies, Inc. Beth A. Burns, Board Emerita Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05) Richard C. Hunsaker, Board Emeritus President, Hunsaker Management Socorro Vasquez, Board Emerita Community Leader

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danceup Upcoming Event

OLLIE WHITAKER

JANICE AND JOHN MARKLEY WITH STUDENTS OLIVIA, MATEO, AND ELIZABETH

9TH ANNUAL

WINE TASTING BENEFIT FOR THE WOODEN FLOOR

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Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 6:00pm Big Canyon Country Club Newport Beach, CA

100 percent of our graduates complete high school on time and immediately enroll in college for the 11th consecutive year.

It’s an astounding undertaking to spend years curating one of the most talked-about wine benefits in Orange County, but longtime friends and supporters of The Wooden Floor, John and Janice Markley, have once again collected and donated over 350 bottles of the world’s most exquisite wine for our 9th Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit.

The Benefit evening will feature a strolling “blind tasting” competition, artfully-prepared hearty hors d’oeuvres, silent auctions, and opportunity drawings. Most importantly, our students will share with you their success stories and why they call The Wooden Floor their second home. We invite you to join us in raising a glass to the bright future of the youth we serve.

This year’s collection of 12 wines averages over 97 points and features two labels rated 100 points each–the highest possible score.

Influential wine critic E. Robert Parker famously noted, wines of this caliber are extraordinary and worth a special effort to find and consume.

Please help us keep the promise we make to each of our students: From here, you can step anywhere.

Guests of Keep the Promise will be transported across the finest wine regions and vineyards around the globe. The evening's proceeds support The Wooden Floor’s innovative dance, academic, college and career readiness, and family service programs that have helped

This event sells out every year!

Consider a sponsorship to reserve your tickets today. Benefit Sponsors to date are listed on page 9.

Sponsorships: $1,000 to $30,000+ Individual Tickets: $350 Available via the enclosed envelope or www.TheWoodenFloor.org/WineTasting

32ND ANNUAL CONCERT OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION, MAY 28, 2015 The energy was palpable prior to the opening performance of our 32nd Annual Concert.

Guests gathered backstage at the Irvine Barclay Theatre to make a toast to over 140 of our young dancers as they prepared to light up the stage with three new dance works.

Supporter Spotlight

"I support this well-run organization because it provides experiences and opportunities for students that will serve them throughout their lives. Volunteering at the Annual Concert is a highlight each year. The dancers are so creative, talented, and enthusiastic! I’m excited about becoming a Dance Partner and look forward to meeting my new student soon to provide encouragement and support."

- Leigh Morris, Dance Partner

Event Details

LEIGH MORRIS AND PAM MAXON

The Wooden Floor

Supporter Sightings

BOARD MEMBER YVONNE JORDAN, PAIGE GETZLAF, MELINDA GOMEZ, AND RONNIE CAVANAUGH

KEYNOTE SPEAKER JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ

3RD ANNUAL STEP BEYOND BREAKFAST™, APRIL 23, 2015 Over 125 guests gathered to celebrate the 11th consecutive year that 100 percent of our graduates enrolled in college, and to enjoy a keynote address

by José Hernández, named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Latinos in America.

Supporter Spotlight

DR. CONSTANCE SPERLING AND CLASS OF 2015 GISELLE PINEDA

“We feel honored to be able to support the aspirations of these bright, hardworking students of The Wooden Floor in their pursuit of an education. We are so impressed by their commitment and their dreams for their futures.”

- Dr. Constance Sperling, Class Partner

JENNIFER AND BOARD MEMBER JESSE RODRIQUEZ

To learn about more ways to get involved, please contact Keegan Bell at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or Keegan@TheWoodenFloor.org.

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PAID

1810 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92706-2727 714.541.8314 www.TheWoodenFloor.org

You may have noticed our newsletter has taken on a new look! We wanted a better way to share with you the daily impact of your support through photos and more in-depth features. Plus, we are benefitting from a cost savings. If you have any questions or comments, we would love to hear from you at Info@TheWoodenFloor.org.

SANTA ANA, CA PERMIT NO. 949

Come join us!

September 24, 2015

9th Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit Save the date to enjoy a spectacular selection of the highest rated wines from around the globe. Proceeds from the evening benefit our successful year-round programs we provide to under-served youth. Details on page 10.

October 17, 2015

Annual Audition Day Know a child who needs us? Help us spread the word as we open our doors to the community and welcome new students to join us on this journey. Students who wish to audition must be in at least the 3rd grade, be between 8 to 13 years of age, and meet two requirements to participate: come from a family with minimal resources and have a desire to move. Limited spots are available.

Details at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Auditions

November 14, 2015

2nd Annual Circle of Gratitude

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Circle of Gratitude has quickly become one of our most talked about events. Attendees are nurtured by the overwhelming sense of community as we head into the season of giving. The event started as a gesture of thankfulness for the role supporters of The Wooden Floor play in the lives of the families we serve, and likewise our students’ importance in the lives of supporters. All members of The Wooden Floor community, including supporters, students, their parents, alumni, Board members and staff gather together to connect with one another and share a dazzling meal, lovingly prepared by parent volunteers. The event is a part of a parent-led effort to raise funds for the most important resources entrusted to us—the youth we serve.

More information at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Gratitude

Photography by Kevin P. Casey, Christine Cotter, Steven Georges, J. Christopher Launi, and Edie Layland. ©2015 The Wooden Floor. DanceUp is a trademark of The Wooden Floor.

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