Community Corner

Manalapan Teen Gives Freehold Students a 'Chance 2 Dance'

Students in the Freehold Borough after-school program are being exposed to dance thanks to an area resident's love for dance and volunteering.

A Manalapan resident has combined her passion for dance and volunteering into a way to help Freehold students express themselves.

For the last two years, Caity Radice has been donating her time and talent to the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Freehold Borough’s after-school program. Radice became involved in the Freehold schools because of her mother, who works at the Freehold Learning Center.

“Not everybody has the time or the means to take regular dance class, but I feel that anyone who loves to dance should have the chance. That's where my program name ‘Chance 2 Dance’ comes from,” said Radice.

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‘Chance 2 Dance’ comes to the CCLC one to two days a week. While the main purpose of her time is to teach dance, Radice explained that it is much more than that.

“Our class is not only about learning a dance, it is about learning to work as a team, to stay motivated and work hard, and to follow through on your commitment.”

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On Thursday, March 21, Radice and 15 of her dance students put on a show for family and friends.

“We are very lucky to have these guys [Radice and mother] with us,” said Chris Naspo, Freehold Learning Center Physical Education teacher and CCLC coordinator. “These two just like our kids and love to dance. They have donated their own time because they love us. We are so fortunate to have them.” 

The 'Chance 2 Dance' group showed attendees how they stretch, then performed an original dance. Following the performance, there were two solo performances by Radice and a friend and the rest of the CCLC kids took on the ‘Chance 2 Dance’ performers in a dance battle.

Radice hopes to spread ‘Chance 2 Dance’ through more after-school programs by becoming involved with the YMCA, which helps run the CCLC. Next year, Radice will attend Howell High School as part of the Fine and Performing Arts learning center.


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