STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood dancers take center stage

First graders Kyra, Ankhita and Alyssa have been studying Indian dance for three years.  They started out with Bollywood-style techniques and are now beginning to learn styles which have more classical Indian influence. Their dance school,NDM,is one the largest of its kind in the US and is directed by Nakul Dev Mahajan. Mr. Mahajan is world famous and has choreographed award-winning dance sequences on such popular shows as "So You Think You Can Dance". The girls are in the youngest troupe at NDM and  have won hearts with their eight stage performances in this short time.  They have also performed at senior communities in Anaheim Hills and Yorba Linda. 

When asked what they like best about dancing, the girls all agreed, "definitely the competitions."  I thought it would have been dressing up in costumes, however, they all disagreed with me because "the costumes are always too itchy."  Keep up the good work girls!

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood fourth grader races toward success

Some people stroll through life, while others race toward the finish line.  Megan Trivedi, a fourth grader in Ms. Del Carmen's class, pushes herself to work hard at her new favorite sport, track.  Megan has been with the running club, The Equalizers, since August 2010.  Since then she has grown to become a well-rounded and successful student athlete.  Megan meets at Citrus Grove Park in Irvine four times a week to train with her coaches and other runners ranging from 6-15 years of age.  Megan is able to run an average of five miles each practice!  She says her favorite part of running is that she pushes herself every day, and that every day she runs a little faster.  Her longest run was 8 miles straight without stopping!

 

Since beginning in August, Megan has already competed in five competitions.  Her favorite one was when she received third place at the Junior Olympics Regional Competition and won her first medal.  On Saturday, December 10, she traveled to Alabama to compete in the National Junior Olympics!  Megan says running helps her feel healthy and proud. Megan is a great example of how hard work and perseverance pay off.  Her parents, teachers, and friends are very proud of her. 

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood third grader dances bollywood style

When Shalini puts her mind to something she sticks with it.  Shalini Patel, a third grader in Mrs. Lottes' class decided to join the NDM Bollywood Dance Studio when she was only six.  Every year since, she has had Bollywood dance practice once a week at the Artesia NDM Dance Studio. 

Her performances are bi-annual; one in March and one in June.  Shalini mostly performs in a group, although she has done a few solos and a duet for private functions.  In addition, her dance group has been selected to compete in various dance competitions.  Later this year, her dance team will be competing in the Neema Dance Competition in Artesia.  They will also be performing at the Ford Amphitheater with some of NDM's other dance teams.

Shalini has the privilege to study under the instruction of Nukul Dev Mahajan, who has just recently choreographed dance routines for the Nobel Peace Prize Gala in Norway for the very famous Indian composer and singer, A.R. Rahman.  Mahajan is known for his role on "So You Think You Can Dance" as the Bollywood choreographer for the contestants for the last four years.

Through dance, Shalini has made many friends.  She says that she enjoys every minute of her Bollywood dancing mostly because the teacher is so fun and it's entertaining and fast paced.  Her goal is to be an instructor one day.  Shalini's parents, friends, and teachers are all very proud of all her accomplishments. 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT mable swimmer stands out in school

Stephanie S. is a Mable campus fourth grader who has been swimming since she was 1½ years old.  “I love to swim, my favorite strokes are butterfly and freestyle,” she says. Stephanie’s coach says that Stephanie takes her swimming very seriously and is like a fish in the ocean. Stephanie, who swims for the Anaheim Aquatics Association, is on her way to making her dream of competing in the Olympics come true.  She has won numerous ribbons and medals including the Coach’s Award in 2009 and the Most Valuable Swimmer of 2010.  Stephanie hopes to one day meet superstar swimmer, Michael Phelps.

Contributed by Karen, Mable campus 

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT anaheim hills shines light on olympic hopeful anastasia huddleston

The Fairmont Anaheim Hills campus is proud to spotlight fourth grader, Anastasia Huddleston in our first “Student Spotlight” feature.  Anastasia has been a student at Fairmont since pre-school and maintains straight A's in Miss Romo’s Fourth Grade class.  She has been figure skating for the last 6 years, since she was 3 years old!  Anastasia skates  6 days a week, for at least 8 hours a week.  Her practices are very intense, but she truly loves working on her routines.  She is coached by two-time Olympic Champion, Ekaterina Gordeeva.  Off the ice, Anastasia works on conditioning, strength training, stretching and ballet to improve her overall skating skills.  She is very competitive and always places high in her competitions; in her last two state-wide events she placed 2nd and 3rd.  Anastasia’s goal is to compete in the Olympics someday.   In addition to figure skating and maintaining straight A’s, Anastasia also attends Russian school on Saturdays, where her favorite subject is drama.  Congratulations, Anastasia, we are so proud of all your successes!

Contributed by Vicky, Anaheim Hills Campus