East High dance named Character Counts 2018 Team of the Year
Ashley Flynn, 18, is used to getting double-takes after telling people she loves chemistry.
“Chemistry is usually considered a class you’re required to take and not something you enjoy learning about,” the East High School 12th grader acknowledged. “But I can truly say that I love chemistry.”
Next year, Flynn will be going to Minnesota State University, in Mankato, Minnesota, with an ambition to, someday, become a high school chemistry teacher.
Plus she’ll continued to pursue another equally important passion: dance.
“Science is important to me but I’ve been dancing since the first grade,” Flynn said. “Dancing will always be a big part of my life.”
Flynn was one of the 43 East students who participated in the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association (ISDTA) High School Dance Team Championships, held Nov. 29 and 30, in Des Moines. The team was awarded first place in show production, second place in co-ed, fourth place in lyrical and fifth place in jazz.
“Plus we got a seventh place finish in our hip-hop routine,” Flynn noted with a laugh. “I may not be the most natural pop-and-locker but I’m getting better at it.”
While dance coach Kayla Kellen is pleased with the team’s state competition ranking, she’s more elated that her students were also recognized for their distinguished academic honors as well as for outstanding community service.
“When our East High Black Raiders was named the Character Counts! Team of the Year, I just lost it,” Kellen said of the honor bestowed upon the team by Drake University’s Robert D. and Billy Ray Center. “The other awards demonstrated the team was made up of good dancers. The Character Counts! honors showed they are also good kids.”
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by Earl Horlyk