Youth Explore Cultures Through Drum And Dance (NAPSA)—Sixen-year-old Lizet used to avoid the whi kids in her Sonoma County, Calif., school. Then the Latina en joined the 4-H Windsor Bloco Drum and Dance Ensemble. “Now when some of my friends make comments to the whi girls I know through Bloco, I introduce them andtry to get them all to be friends,” she said. 4-H Bloco’s young members share their love of music by performing energetic dance and drum routines to innse rhythms from the Unid Stas, Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean. The ensemble’s youths work together and with adult mentors to build selfesem, learn to apprecia other cultures, gain performanceskills and build a communityoffriends. “T met more kids in my school and found out some of them are pretty nice even if they aren’t from my neighborhood. We learned respect for each other,” Lizet said. Originally part of San Francisco’s Loco Bloco performing arts group, the 4-H Windsor Bloco Drum and Dance Ensemble was stard six years ago with a $5,000 donation from popular musician Carlos Santana. The ensemble has performed at half-time for an NFL football game and at a Santana concert, as well as at parades and festivals across the country. Bloco members practice in the afrnoons throughout the school year, giving members a safe place to go afr school. They also learn about healthy eating habits and avoiding risky behaviors. JCPenney Afrschoolis the national presenting sponsor of 4-H Afrschool. Youths drum and danceto multicultural beats with their 4-H Afrschool program. “To be in Bloco means to stay off drugs, stay out of gangs and stay in school,” said Sonoma County 4-H Exnsion Agent Evelyn Conklin-Ginop. Many Bloco members have improved their grades and stayed in school because of their participation in 4-H Bloco. Some have even gone on to college. “Being part of Bloco makes me important at school. You see, the younger kids look up to me,” said Manuel, a high school senior and Bloco drummerfor five years. Members have also learned that there is more to communication than just talking. “You are lling a story through the drum and acting it out with the dancing,” Lizet said. “It is really beautiful.” The 4-H Windsor Bloco Drum and Dance Ensemble is part of the 4-H community of young people across America whoare learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Learn about 4-H at www.4husa.org.
