High School Show Offs: A cultural feast for the eyes, heart and soul
The High School Show Offs – a showcase of the best that area high school Mexican folkloric companies have to offer – returned Saturday night (March 12) in grand fashion after being sidelined last year by the pandemic.
All the dancers from the nine performing schools, as well as those in attendance at Fresno High’s historic Royce Hall, wore face masks. But that mattered little to dampen the excitement as dancers provided a tour of various Mexican regents.
It was a cultural feast for the eyes, heart and soul.
Vida en el Valle interviewed two dancers from each school. Here are their responses, along with information about their schools. The students were asked how they began their folkloric career, the most positive impact of dancing, and their favorite region to dance.
Danzantes de Tláloc, Central East High School
The group, directed by Rosa Amelia González, performed dances from Nayarit’s Costa Brava. Danzantes de Tláloc was formed 24 years ago.
Tiffany Sandoval, senior (she responded in Spanish): “Empecé en el segundo año en la prepa. Quería hacerlo en mi primer año, pero no había espacio en el programa. Siempre desde la secundaria, quería entrar porque venían a las escuelas y los practicaba mucho. Es folkórico y siempre me quitaba la mirada, pero me involucré en el fútbol (soccer). Mi segundo año pude entrar a la clase. Siempre trato de bailar lo más que puedo en cada evento que hay.
“¿El aspecto más positivo de ser bailadora de folclórico? Poder conocer a más gente. Siempre hay una buena vibra. Cuando estás aquí con todos, estás con tus amigos, siempre aprendes algo nuevo y siempre, siempre andas feliz, nunca andas triste. Siempre tienes oportunidad para crecer. Aquí nunca puede estar mal ni nunca puedes dar mal. Siempre es un buen día aquí cuando estás bailando con todos.
“De todos los que ha bailado sí me ha gustado lo que estamos bailando ahora a Nayarit Costa, a lo que me ha gustado más. Me gusta mucho como bailamos con las faldas, los colores de nuestras faldas, las camisas y la coreografía”.
Zeke Flores, junior: “I had relatives dancing folklórico in high school and throughout college, and I first wanted to get into it when I saw them perform at the middle school. And so I joined the class and I didn’t really intend on falling in love with it, like how I do now. But it became a good passion of mine, and I participated in my freshman year, and over Zoom my sophomore year.
“The most positive aspect is just being able to present your culture because not everyone can say that, like they’re able to represent the culture in such a unique way.
“My favorite region right now is Tierra Costa, because there’s a lot of fast footwork partner work, and it’s just a really fun region.”
Los Paisanos de Selma High School
The group, which is led by Óscar Bustos, has been around since 1967. Los Paisanos performed dances from Colima.
Leslie Rangel, senior: “It started in my eighth grade year, I decided to take it as an elective and since then I’ve been dancing for five years now.
“The most positive aspect about folkórico dancing is that you get to work as a team and you get to bond with people that you never met, and it’s just a great experience.
“My favorite region to dance is Chihuahua because I like the fast turns and the partner dancing.”
Jordi García, senior: “My sophomore year of high school I just took it as a class when I got out of ROTC. But as the year progressed and time went, I really enjoyed it and I really liked it because I felt like it really brought me closer to my culture.
“A good aspect is like how my partner said, having good teamwork with others, getting to meet new people, as well. To show others our culture and to show them like the different types of things that México has to offer.
“My favorite region to dance is Chihuahua as well. It’s really fast. I like fast dances.”
El Alma de Clovis High School
The dance group began in 1970 by Pat Gutiérrez, and has been led since 2012 by Dora Macías. The group performed dances from Quéretaro.
Karla Heredia, senior: “I got involved with folkloric dancing by watching them, and I really found a lot of interest in it. It looks really pretty, so I wanted to join.
“You make a lot of friends and you just learn a lot of new, different things. It’s really fun.
“My favorite region to dance to is Sinaloa, because it’s just very fluid and it just looks really, really pretty.”
Alexandria Ollivier, senior: “I started doing folklórico in elementary school and then they didn’t really have it in middle school (Leavenwroth), and then I continued it in high school.
“The most positive aspect of being a folkloric dancer is probably embracing my culture and learning new aspects of it. And then also making new friends who also share the same interests as you.
“Honestly, it’s Quéretaro because there’s less skirt work and more footwork. And the dresses are really colorful and pretty.”
Águilas de Oro de Clovis West High School
The group was founded in 1976 by Spanish instructor Hortencia González, and is now led by María L. Cerda. The dancers showcased Guerrero.
Katherine Mesa, senior: “I started in kindergarten at Pinedale Elementary, and I just continued on through all my years at school. And then I went to an academy and I danced in middle school and then in high school. This is my final year.
“I think the most positive impact is just learning about your culture and making friends. I definitely made new friends that will probably be my lifelong friends now.
“My favorite regions are Jalisco or Sinaloa, because it’s really upbeat and the work is really beautiful.”
Osmar Villa, junior: “I started my freshman year. It was the second semester. I never planned to go into it, but because I had transferred out of a class, I chose folklórico just to find out what it was about. And I didn’t really know what it was. That’s when I fell in love with it because it really gave me a sense of stress-free time, making new friends.
“The most positive aspect is making friends, and giving me more of an insight into Mexican culture, something most of the time I never knew.
“My favorite region is Jalisco one, because my whole family is from high school and two, because for me, that’s what represents México. And I know there are more regions and more states that represent México; but, to me, Jalisco is my hometown, it’s in my heart, it’s my sun. It’s everything; it’s my family. So I would like to represent Jalisco.”
Los Guerreros de Fresno High School
The folkloric group was started by the late Ray Ramírez and is now directed by Rosemarie Olais Pantoja. The group performed dances from Jalisco.
Bethanie González, senior: “My family always took me to performances and I’ve grown up watching it. It’s something I’ve always been so interested in. As soon as I got to high school, I was like, ‘I’m going to do it.’ And ever since then, I’ve been really dedicated and committed.
“The most positive impact is my instructor, she is a really big impact on me and she is what keeps me going and wanting to do this and everybody who’s in that.
“My favorite region is either Nayarit or Jalisco, just because the skirt movement is so pretty.”
Bryan Alonso-García, senior: “I started off in middle school back in seventh or eighth grade. I think I started because I saw a couple of high school friends come over for a show we had one. It just motivated me, kind of inspired me to join.
“The most positive thing it has is that it keeps me dedicated and it assures me to always keep pushing to just strive for better things.
“My favorite region would be Baja California or probably Sinaloa because they are completely different. Baja California is more like a Norteño or Western-type of style. Sinaloa is close to the regional parts of it.”
Ballet Folklórico de Clovis East High School
This group was founded in 2001 by Ana Vega Raya as an after-school program. It is now led by Vanessa González. The dancers performed huapangos and polkas from Nuevo León.
Jacquelyn Miguel, senior: “My sister really liked doing it, so I was inspired by her and I wanted to do it to keep it up. And what you start. I started in elementary school.
“The most positive aspect is I think it is keeping the culture alive.
“My favorite region would have to be charreada because I love the skirt work.”
Alejandro Béjaramo, senior: “I started my freshman year when my nana told me I needed to dance. And you never say no to your nana.
“The most positive aspect is being able to stomp your feet and really express all of your emotions on the dance floor.
“My favorite region is Nuevo León because we just learned that one and the steps are pretty fast. You have good exercise.”
Grupo Folclórico Las Panteras de Washington Union High School
The folklórico group is an after-school program directed by Elena Maravilla. The group performed calabaceados de Baja California.
Janette Valenzuela, junior: “Some friends and I were just dancing in our school library, and the teacher saw us dancing and asked us if we wanted to be part of her dance group. And we started with pop and stuff until she ended up recommending folklórico.
“I enjoy being able to spend time with my friends and work together because it’s really gratifying once we end up getting our moves correct.
“My favorite dance to perform is Baja California. I like the outfits we get to use. It’s really pretty, and ranchero. There’s a lot more footwork.”
Kevin Martínez, sophomore: “I saw one of my friends doing it. She asked me if I wanted to join, and I did.
“I enjoy talking to others. It’s really funny because sometimes we fall, but then we get it right, and it really makes us all proud of ourselves.
I like Baja California, which we are doing tonight. I get a little solo for the spotlight.”
Los Danzantes de Roosevelt High School
This group is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The dancers, who have been led for 22 years by Mark Alatorre, performed dances from Huasteca Tamaulipeca.
April Mares, senior: “Coming from a school (Bullard Talent) that never really celebrated Mexican, (at Roosevelt) there was a sudden boom of Latino-inspired dancing and there was mariachi. Some of my friends convinced me to try out, and I found that I really had a love and a passion for it.
“One of the most important things that has influenced me is the unity that I found in this group.
“My favorite region would be either Jalisco or Guerrero. It’s because I have family from Jalisco. In Guerrero, I really like the technique that we have and the little accessories that we use.”
Alfredo Rodríguez, senior: “I got into folklórico because of a cross country injury. I had no other options.
“Just being inside a classroom creates a whole different vibe. I could be having one of the worst possible days and I could walk into that classroom and just forget about everything. And one of the things that actually helped me through folklórico actually is my best friend, JT, who I met my freshman year.
“My favorite region would have to be Veracruz because my family originates from such a beautiful place. Their culture, their dresses, their everything is just so beautiful. It’s just a joy and a passion to dance to, OK, sounds.”
Sunnyside High School Danzantes
The program was started in 2007 as an after-school session by Vicente Domínguez. In 2013, it was integrated into the school curriculum, and is now led by Denise Valdez. The group performed dances from Colima.
María Rodríguez, senior: “I started in elementary school. It started off as a club and I decided to join. I’ve been in it ever since.
“The most positive aspect is learning new things and learning more about your culture, as well as making friendships and bonds with people that you’ll never forget. It’s just a lot of memories you’re creating while having fun and showcasing what you’ve learned.
“My favorite region to dance is Sinaloa because it is the most energetic.”
Orlando Murguía, senior: “I started at the beginning of my senior year. It was a great opportunity to know more about my culture. I just love to dance with everybody. It’s just amazing. It’s a new experience, and I love it so much.
“The positive aspect is the connection you make, the connection you make with a bunch of new students. You meet new people and you discover new regions.
“I love dancing Sonora Bronco. I love dancing with a partner. It just makes it more cool and just spinning them around and turning them around.”
Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 13 de marzo de 2022, 8:02 p. m..