Among the many extracurriculars Riverside Brookfield High School offers, members of Hip Hop Club strive to embrace self-expression through music and dance. Senior Jayden Davila, a first-year participant in Dancing Divas, an extension of the Hip-Hop Club, is an active performer and member of Hip-Hop Club.
Dancing Divas allows students to practice and showcase their prepared performances at school events such as the pep rally.
“This is my first year, so going into it was really scary,” Davila said. “This was my first time actually dancing, and it helped me realize that I am able to dance. Starting off, I was really good, even though being in the front could be kind of nerve-wracking. I didn’t join knowing how to dance.”
This year, the performances in Dancing Divas are run by students, which helps members of the club incorporate their own artistic ability and voice. Through the community Davila has become involved in, he has created meaningful relationships with people who have similar interests.
“They’re very friendly to newcomers, especially since this year there are a lot of new people, including me,” Davila said. “It’s a very fluent and flexible schedule, and you don’t have to show up every day as long as you know the dance. Even if you just want to go and talk to friends, that’s also an option.”
Majorette is a style of dance that includes elements of hip-hop alongside ballet and jazz. Although Dancing Divas is centered around hip hop, a popular genre of music that integrates rap, Davila enjoys dancing to both styles of music.
“My favorite style of dance is a mix of majorette and hip hop,” Davila said. “Going into college, it’s something that I’d like to keep doing. After college, that’s it, I’m done. It’s just a fun thing to do on the side and to meet new people in college.”
Through consistent preparation and dedication to this extracurricular activity, Davila has been able to connect with the members of Dancing Divas through the many practices held for their performances.
“Showing up to practice every day has been important to me, even though it’s a lot,” Davila said. “Meeting the girls is important, and you just have to show up even if you don’t know anyone. Being taught the dances at the same time as everyone else is also important.”
At first, Dancing Divas was an all-girls team. The previous coach of Dancing Divas was one of Davila’s teachers and was the one who encouraged him to join the team and become part of the large majority of RB students involved in extracurricular activities.
“Being the only guy, I know I’m going to stick out,” Davila said. “Going out there was the scariest thing ever, but as I kept performing, I cared less about what people think. It doesn’t always have to be bad what people think, that maybe it’s a cool thing I’m on the team.”
Davila highlights the importance of pursuing your interests, and even though the minimal challenges presented like changing right before a performance, the avenues that he has explored have allowed him to create many memories.
“It’s normal to feel scared to join anything, but showing up will make you feel okay in the moment to all be learning together,” Davila said. “It builds a bond. The next day, you’ll feel less nervous, the next even less nervous, and then they’re your friends. Meeting new people, it can be scary to join, but at the same time, it becomes something to look forward to every day.”
