_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
HERALD The village honors local vets
Several ‘ninjas’ surprise veterans
Meet the new principals
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Vol. 35 No. 47
NoVEMBER 14 - 20, 2024
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Champion Cyclones! South Side girls’ volleyball team captured the Nassau County Class A Championship Monday afternoon with a threeset sweep over Wantagh. Story, additional photo, Page 6.
Brian Ballweg/Herald
Rockville Centre students advocate for dance team By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
A pair of South Side High School students are rallying to establish a varsity dance team as an of ficially recognized sport. Kiera Gunn and Anneliese Pecchioni, both members of the school’s existing dance club, presented the proposal at the Rockville Centre Board of Education meeting on Nov. 7, emphasizing the benefits a dance team could provide to the school and students. “Today we stand before you filled with excitement and hope as we embark on a journey that has long been envisioned by
many South Side Cyclones students,” Gunn said. “I am honored to discuss our proposal to officially establish a varsity dance team as a recognized spor t at South Side High School.” Pecchioni, a sophomore at South Side, said the dedication and perseverance of past students who have unsuccessfully tried to establish a dance team in previous years, laid a strong foundation for what they hoped to achieve. “This dream has been nurtured by dedicated past students who have tried tirelessly to bring in a dance team as an official school sport,” Pecchioni
said. “We are proud to say that we took this dream one step further by securing approval for a club under the guidance of our advisors and our supportive athletic department and Board of Education.” Gunn, a junior at South Side, said the timing seems right as student interest in a team has grown substantially in recent months. The dance club has grown from only 15 dancers at the start of the year, and following a well-received performance at homecoming, has nearly doubled to 27. “This presents us with an incredible opportunity, not just for those who already love
dance, but also for those who wish to explore it further,” Gunn said. “A formal varsity team will provide these young individuals with exposure, not only to team dynamics and athletic training, but also to valued life skills such as discipline, commitment, and creativity.” The varsity team, Pecchioni
explained, would provide students with academic and social benefits as well. She described how dance promotes teamwork through choreography, establishes confidence, instills a solid work ethic, and helps build a deeper appreciation of cultural diversity through various styles of dance — from hipContinued on page 9