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Children dance to the song "Jai Ho" during a "Tribute to the Stars" talent show program at the El Centro Community Center on Friday. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / August 4, 2012) |
It was standing-room only at the El Centro Community Center on Friday when parents filed in to see this year’s talent show titled “Tribute to the Stars.”
“I thought it was so much fun, and all the kids did a great job,” said parent and spectator Christina Perez of El Centro. “Last year they did a hip-hop theme, so it was really nice to see something completely different.”
For the past 10 years, the kids of the El Centro Parks and Recreation Friendship Summer Camp have delighted the community with their musical performances.
This year’s theme paid homage to recording artists who have passed away.
Children from first- to eighth-grade danced to hits by Michael Jackson, Elvis and Selena among others.
“We try to do something different every year so the kids don’t get bored,” said Mayra Castro, Friendship Summer Camp coordinator. “It’s just a chance for them to stay healthy and involved during the summer.”
The talent show lasted more than one hour and included more than 10 performances.
Anahi Coronado pulled double duty and performed a dance number to Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and “Jai Ho,” the theme song to the 2009 movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”
“I like ‘Jai Ho’ better,” said Coronado, a 7-year-old El Centro resident.
Despite it being her first performance, Coronado said she was not nervous and could not wait to do it again next year.
“I liked the whole camp,” Coronado said. “I liked seeing my friends every day and doing arts and crafts.”
It was the camp’s goal to entertain the children of the community and keep them away from the television, Castro said.
“There is always something for them to do here,” Castro said. “They come, eat and have fun.”
For David Lawson the summer camp not only provided fun, but community service hours as well.
“I did it for fun and also because I got volunteer hours,” said Lawson, a 14-year-old El Centro resident. “It was really fun because we just played around with the kids and danced with them.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopezmay be reached at klopez@ivpressonline.com
“I thought it was so much fun, and all the kids did a great job,” said parent and spectator Christina Perez of El Centro. “Last year they did a hip-hop theme, so it was really nice to see something completely different.”
For the past 10 years, the kids of the El Centro Parks and Recreation Friendship Summer Camp have delighted the community with their musical performances.
This year’s theme paid homage to recording artists who have passed away.
Children from first- to eighth-grade danced to hits by Michael Jackson, Elvis and Selena among others.
“We try to do something different every year so the kids don’t get bored,” said Mayra Castro, Friendship Summer Camp coordinator. “It’s just a chance for them to stay healthy and involved during the summer.”
The talent show lasted more than one hour and included more than 10 performances.
Anahi Coronado pulled double duty and performed a dance number to Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and “Jai Ho,” the theme song to the 2009 movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”
“I like ‘Jai Ho’ better,” said Coronado, a 7-year-old El Centro resident.
Despite it being her first performance, Coronado said she was not nervous and could not wait to do it again next year.
“I liked the whole camp,” Coronado said. “I liked seeing my friends every day and doing arts and crafts.”
It was the camp’s goal to entertain the children of the community and keep them away from the television, Castro said.
“There is always something for them to do here,” Castro said. “They come, eat and have fun.”
For David Lawson the summer camp not only provided fun, but community service hours as well.
“I did it for fun and also because I got volunteer hours,” said Lawson, a 14-year-old El Centro resident. “It was really fun because we just played around with the kids and danced with them.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopezmay be reached at klopez@ivpressonline.com
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