SIDE STREET KIDS Newsletters
SPUNK & SPIRIT NEWSLETTER September 1999
Compiled by Carlos Mendoza (Co-founder of the Side Street Kids)
Kid of the Year
Congratulations to Damaris Perez our side street Kid of the Year for 1999. Damaris' fine accomplishments for the year were so numerous that we could not print all of them in this newsletter. The following is a short listing of some of her achievements:
As if this wasn't enough Damaris was also selected to be a member of the new dance company being formed by Ms. Addie Diaz. She will by trained by Ms. Diaz a world renown mambo dancer and an all around good person.
World Beaters
Speaking of world renown, the side street kids represented New York at the Congreso Bacardi de Salsa. There were over 53 different countries represented at the World Congress. The event was held at the Wyndham El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico. Each of the five nights was sold out with about 1,500 people in attendance per night. The side street kids who represented our Academy were Gabrielle Caraballo, Lisandra Duprey, Sheena Figueroa, Nina Ortiz, Cynthia Perez, Gina Peterson, Ebony Salter, Angelis Torres, Celina Valentin and Nina Valentin. These young ladies were among a handful of groups to receive a standing ovation following their performance. According to a quote from The Salsa News, the side street kids are "the future of salsa dancing".
Summer at the Academy
The side street kids had one of their busiest summers to date in 1999. Not only did they perform in San Juan, Puerto Rico but they also performed at the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund Dance, the Orchard Beach Concert Series and the Metropolitan Oval. Through the Summer Youth Employment Program, 10 SSK worked at the Academy for eight weeks. These kids not only taught children in the community the basics of Mambo, but they brought smiles to many people from the ages of 3 to 83 with their scintillating performances throughout the Bronx. They performed and were well received at a variety of day care centers and nursing homes. The participants of the SYEP program were also instrumental in a successful marketing and fundraising campaign throughout the 8 weeks. Several well written articles composed by SYEP participants will be published in SalsaWeb over the next few months.
The early bird...
Registration for the class of 1999/2000 has concluded and the SSK have once again grown. This will be the 4th year of the program. The SSK first class began with 20 students. Currently there are 145 students enrolled and a waiting list of about 35 students. Registration for returning students took place from July 1st to August 14th and 95% of the students took advantage of the early registration.
Happy New Year
Thank you to everyone who has read this first newsletter of year 4. It is through this monthly newsletter and our calendar as well as various hand outs throughout the year that we are able to inform everyone of all SSK activities. Please make it your business to find out what is going on with your child here at the SSK Dance Academy. Thank you again and have a Happy New Year.
Upcoming Events
SPUNK & SPIRIT NEWSLETTER June 1999
Compiled by Carlos Mendoza (Co-founder of the Side Street Kids)
Learn more about the Side Street Kids Program by surfing over to their web page at:
www.salsaweb.com/ny/sskids
Kid of the YEAR
Congratulations to Damaris Perez, the side street kid of the YEAR!!! Her achievements throughout the year speak volumes for the type of young lady she is. Just sit back and read these wonderful accomplishments:
As wonderful as these accomplishments are reaching the decision on SSK of theYear was not an easy one. There are many SSK's that are setting great examples with their school work, community service and extra curricular activities. We salute all our SSK's who are "Doing the Right Thing" both in school and out.We would like to especially congratulate Jessica Herrera, Jocelyn Perez, Kevin Romero and Nina Valentin who along with Damaris will be entering college this fall.
Recital Update
Thanks to the work of a great volunteer staff the 1999 Recital was a resounding success. A good time was had by all. The event was nearly sold out and plans are already in motion to secure a larger venue for next year. There are even more surprises in store for next years extravaganza. It goes without saying that the people who volunteer their time and services are the backbone of this organization and without them the SSK's would not be as successsful as we are. THANK YOU PARENTS and FRIENDS without you we would not be where we are today. We would also like to thank our Corporate Sponsors and their donations: Pepsi Cola, Veryfine and BJ's Wholesale Club. Once again as is our saying at the side street kids "the only people who didn't have a good time are the people who didn't come." This year we were fortunate enough to have people come forward and give scholarships to some SSK's. We would like to thank our very special Angels for Walking the Walk and giving these children a great opportuniity to participate in this program. Anyone interested in sponsoring a child or just making a donation can do so by calling the SSK's at 718-595-1000 or 718-829-7200. The SSK's are a non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Summer Program
This year for the first time the SSK Dance Academy will be open during the summer. Children between the ages of 7 and 12 are welcomed to take FREE beginner mambo lessons on Monday or Wednesday morning through August 18. As a result of this wonderful opportunity afforded the SSK's, there are 10 children working at the Academy through the SYEP program.
Shout Outs: A special thanks to Datek Securities for their computer donations. This donation will allow the SSK's to continue in the tradition of more than dance. Children not only dance at the Academy but as a result of donations like this are able to do homework and type papers on these PC's. We want to wish you all a wonderful and safe summer. For those of you not returning to us in September, we want to wish you well. Stay in touch. God be with you always.
Upcoming events:
7/12/99 Summer Dance Class Begins;
7/24/99 Tito Puente Scholarship Dance;
7/27/99 SSK's @ Congreso in Puerto Rico;
**Anyone interested in submitting an article for the newsletter please contact Carmen.***or e-mail us at sidestreetkids@hotmail.com