Gary Bonsangue

Poly Club’s Haka performance

This Monday Roosevelt had its spring pep rally, the last rally of the school year, with performances from groups like Drumline, AFA, Flava, and a new performance from Poly Club!

The Polynesian Club has worked hard these past two months to create two lively and unique dances. The club has been active at ERHS in the past. But after most of the club’s seniors graduated, the club fell out. But this year they’re back and better than ever! The club restarted late in the year, but even so, the club was able to produce an amazing performance for the pep rally.

Poly Club was the very first performance of the rally, starting with the girls’ rhythmic hula dance, and ending with the guys’ groundbreaking haka dance.

The Haka performers consist of three dancers. They wore pink bandanas with multicolored feathers sticking out of the side, white tank tops, and a navy, green, and red skirt. Accessorized with a grass wristband and intricate face paint, these dancers are the epitome of confidence, strength, and power. Their chants echo throughout the entire auditorium.

The Hula performers have six dancers. The girls, led by Brooke Specht, wear light green tank tops and colorful pink, white, and green skirts. They are accessorized with pink leis that light up, pink and green floral clips, and a signature red lipstick that is essential for dancers to wear. They are graceful, smooth, and light up the entire gym with energy.

Two students, Grace Yu and Sofia Billups, who watched the pep rally performance shared their thoughts on the dances.

“I think it was very interesting and different!” Yu shares. “I really enjoyed it though it was like a slice from another culture. I felt like there was sunshine and ocean waves! Very cool experience.”

Both of the dances are very different from each other, but that’s what makes them so special. Having the ability to share cultures that are different than our own only makes us better people. There are so many amazing dances, music styles, and food dishes, all over the world. Many students may have not been aware of Poly Club before this performance, but these dances were something that definitely left an impact on people.

Billups shares her experience at the rally.

“I thought it was good, but the music was really messed up from my end because I was towards the top at the first rally,” Billups said. “So I feel like it would’ve been a better experience if the music worked!”

Technical issues are something that dancers are bound to run into, but the performance continues! These dances are something best viewed up close. It’s hard to capture all the beauty of the movements, as well as the outfits from far away. Even photos can’t do these performances justice.

Poly Club so far has plans to do many more performances this next school year, so If you missed this performance catch them at the next rally! Whether you’re an experienced dancer, or you’ve never danced before, Poly Club welcomes all kinds of people! Culture is meant to be shared with everyone, so don’t be shy to check this club out if you’re interested.

The spring pep rally was a fantastic way to end the school year. Not only are there many clubs and performances involved, but sports teams, staff, and many students all come together to create a vivid and fun experience for everyone to be a part of! So next time you’re at a pep rally, instead of viewing it as an opportunity to miss a little bit of class time, think of all the people who have made it possible for you to be there.

See you at the next rally!