Masquerade Ball GALA

Arizona’s children are growing unhealthy and obese at alarming rates, with physical consequences of Type 2 diabetes, orthopedic problems, and cardiovascular disease in their adulthood, accompanied by psychological damage, social exclusion, ridicule, and low self-esteem. These conditions intensify for children living in low-income, at risk communities. To battle the situation, the Centers for Disease Control recommend that all children engage in 60 minutes of physical activity daily as a health building effort. However, nearly 3 out of 4 children in AZ are not meeting this recommendation, with physical activity numbers trending downward.

Sport has been increasingly recognized and used as a high-impact tool in health-building efforts, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Most competitive sports, however, require audition and many children remain outside of selection; many bring elevated risk of physical injuries, pressure and even bullying. Parents are often unable to afford the team costs. As a lifetime sport, however, ballroom dance offers a healthier choice that is easy to make. It is inclusive, no auditions or special skills are required, and all children are welcome. Ballroom dance helps children to mature physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively through low impact activity. Research supports the fact that participation in dance and movement develops the young brain and increases cognition: students have higher test scores and graduate school.

At DanceSport Education, our mission is to create life-long impacts in the lives of young people in Arizona through participation in ballroom dance as both an extracurricular activity at their schools, and also, as a competitive sport. The DanceSport Education program aligns with Arizona’s Department of Health plan to fight obesity by increasing the number of children participating in physical activity. The ballroom dance program provides children with physical activity that uses all muscles and yet is enjoyable, appealing and fosters sustained interest. It stimulates participation regardless of athletic ability, body habitus, gender, or physical fitness.

The lack of physical activity among children is not somebody else's problem. We are all intimately connected when it comes to health. We all bear the cost of unhealthy and obese younger generation. Investing in programs and initiatives to get children more active provides significant cost savings and societal benefits. Our exquisite Masquerade Ball GALA is for people like you, whose generous heart and desire to get involved makes great things possible! The DanceSport Education program needs the funding and visibility to reach its full potential for social impact! Your sponsorship will directly support two major goals:

1. Increase the number of children in Arizona who engage in ballroom dance as a physical activity/sport with the goal of building life-long healthy habits. Last year, upon launch, our DanceSport Education program serviced 100+ students ages 4-18 from 3 Arizona schools. Two of the schools are located in low income communities. With your support, this year we will not only retain these students, but increase their number to 750 and continue to grow the program’s outreach and positive impact.

2. Support existing and developing DanceSport athletes by funding need and talent-based scholarships for children and youth. Right here in Arizona we have talented, dedicated to the sport, young and developing athletes. Unprecedented, two of our Arizona born and raised DanceSport athletes, were selected to be part of the United States Junior Team at the World Cup Championship in Blackpool, England. They are not only top level athletes, but also A+ students! They are a live testimony of the positive, life-time impact of ballroom dance. With your support, we will be able to increase the number of competitive athletes from 2 to 10 and provide full and partial scholarships for them.