LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A national dance program aimed at keeping kids away from drugs and alcohol wrapped up this week at a Lima City school.
Inside Liberty Arts Magnet School, it’s been a week full of rhythm, costumes, and confidence. The DEA Youth Dance Program hosted a free, week-long summer camp in Lima — teaching ballet, jazz, tap, and some important life lessons.
“My mom, Lyn Mulcahy, has been doing this program for 15 years at various schools in the Lima City School District,” said Meghan Mulcahy, an elementary dance teacher at Liberty Arts Magnet. “The goal of this program is to expose kids to dance as an outlet for healthy decision-making and saying no to negative influences.”
Meghan Mulcahy helped bring the program to Liberty this summer by applying for a grant through the Drug Enforcement Administration Educational Foundation.
“I was super excited to be able to give the kids the opportunity to stay active, productive, and learning this summer,” she said.
“This is a program designed by the DEA to give kids an alternative to unhealthy lifestyles through positive outlets,” said Lyn Mulcahy, owner of Lyn’s Academy of Dance. “We’re using dance as our way to say no to drugs and alcohol.”
Each student received dance shoes and costumes, all donated by Lyn’s Academy of Dance.
“Each student in the program got a different costume each day and a different pair of dance shoes,” Lyn said. “One little dancer was so excited, she said she slept in her tap shoes. She woke up clicking her toes on the bed rail. It’s been really fun to see that.”
“We’ve been doing ballet, jazz, tap dance, and we’ve been getting really nice costumes,” said 8-year-old Rylee Bailey.
While the program focused on fun and creativity, students also learned how to recognize and avoid negative influences.
“We’ve been learning not to take stuff from people we don’t know,” said 11-year-old Samaria Hall. “And we’ve learned not to take drugs or alcohol because that’s bad for you.”
“We definitely hope to continue this next summer, and possibly throughout the school year in a residency,” Lyn Mulcahy said.
Students left the program with new dance skills, new gear — and important lessons to help them make healthy choices.
