Hip-hop crew take on big city rivals
A Ngaruawahia school dance group is hard at work practising moves for the Auckland Bring It On competition.
Ngaruawahia High School are the first out-of-towners to make it to the national finals of Auckland’s Bring It On dance competition.
Over 20 teenagers have dedicated their holidays to perfecting every step in preparation for their final performance at the Trust Stadium in Waitakere.
With the help of English teacher Susie Foster, Year 13 student Cruze Nahu-Nikau suggested and organised entering a hip-hop competition to bring something different to the school.
“It was a good alternative to sport for the students that aren’t into it,” Cruze said.
She also said she wanted to celebrate her last year at high school with style.
“I want to go out with a bang and represent our community at the same time,” she said.
The group of 22 dancers is the smallest team to enter Bring It On, but Year 12 choreographer Chase Nahu-Nikau isn’t fazed.
“We rehearse every day, we practise hard and we leave here sweating,” Chase said.
Chase has been dancing for four years and performed in the 2010 New Zealand Street Dance championship.
Ms Foster is proud of the students and blown away by their dedication.
“We’re here every day during the holidays, except for Sundays, so none of them are having a break, they’re all just going for it,” she said.
She is also grateful to the local community for their support and encouragement.
“We’ve had so many local businesses and groups donate money to make it all possible,” said Ms Foster.
Event organiser Ben Viqasi said Bring It On is designed to empower students with confidence and to break down “cliques” so everyone worked together to choreograph their five-minute routine.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a group as hungry to succeed as they are in Ngaruawahia,” he said.
The group was a wild card entry after collecting the most cans of food for the Salvation Army. Cruze said they were proud of their achievement so far, but wanted to win in front of the 6000-strong crowd on August 6.
“It’s cool that a school from just a little town can make it somewhere big like Auckland.”
