These M-A girls are puttin’ on a dancin’ show

Want an inspiration to get a move on? Look no further than the Menlo-Atherton High School Dance Team. These 13 young women work hard to make dancing – especially hip-hop style – look easy.

The Dance Team is a favorite at football and basketball games as well as school rallies. They’re led by  Nona Ybarra, who the girls admire as teacher, choreographer and friend. “I think Nona’s firm-but-caring manner enables the girls to have a wonderful kinship with each other while also taking responsibility for themselves – showing up on time, keeping their commitments, and working as a ‘team,'” says M-A parent Robin Tobias whose daughter Leah is part of the team.

Annually the team has a fund raising show that  features all of their dances, which this year will be on Friday, March 26.  “Most of the students love watching the Dance Team, so it’s always lots of fun,” says Tobias.

For the first time, the show will be at the new Center for Performing Arts at  M-A.  On Sunday,  March 14, the members of the Dance Team will have a table near  Draeger’s main entrance to sell performance tickets, raffle tickets and baked goods, making it easy to check out their infectious enthusiasm. If you miss the girls at Draeger’s and want tickets, please call Kristin at 650-854-9332.Tickets will also be available at the door.

For nostalgia buffs and M-A alums: Today’s Dance Team undoubtedly has its roots in the M-A Drill Team that debuted during ’65-66 thanks to the efforts of popular P.E. teacher Libby Jo Stillman. The Teddy Bears, as they were called, had 40 girls led by captain Terri Harris.  And yep, they performed at football and basketball games.

Photos by Chris Gulker