St. Charles North dance party to support individuals with special needs

Letting loose and dancing without fear of judgment can put a smile on anyone's face.

That's the premise behind a four-hour Leap Day-themed dance party scheduled for Feb. 29 at St. Charles North High School.

Organized by the Team Polaris student club, the Project Dance Leap event promotes and supports local programs that serve individuals with special needs, adviser Tanis Simoncelli said.

But the dance party is more than just a fundraiser, she said. It aims to create a safe and welcoming environment with accommodations provided for people with physical and sensory needs.

The music is pointed toward the floor to help curb sensory overload. The high school gymnasium is wheelchair accessible. A "chill room" is available for individuals who need a break from all the activity.

Between a coordinated buddy system and an overall theme of inclusivity, the event also allows people of all ages and abilities to connect, said sophomore Danny Surges, who is on the Project Dance planning committee. Recognizing they may need someone else to make the first move, he said, volunteers seek out attendees who are sitting away from the action and invite them onto the dance floor to have fun.

"They kind of hang out and be a buddy, be a friend," Surges said. "You can see the impact. It's really rewarding to be able to see that you made somebody else's day. And because of that, it makes your day, too."

Project Dance has been held at St. Charles North for about 15 years and was taken over by Team Polaris a decade ago, Simoncelli said.

Though the events are held annually, student organizers regularly come up with new themes to "change it up and give it some flare," she said. "The students thought 'Leap to Kindness' would be an awesome way to represent this unique year."

This year's dance party will feature music from local DJs and other special performers, and activity stations for zumba, wheelchair decorating and temporary tattoos, Surges said. Attendees also will perform a "morale dance" that encompasses moves for all abilities.

Previous Project Dance events have raised $5,000 to $7,000, and attracted crowds of more than 500 people, Simoncelli said. Afterward, the student planning committee is responsible for determining which organizations to support and how the money should be distributed.

"It's a tradition that we love to have at St. Charles North. We know our student body is better because of the positive influence Project Dance can have on the whole community," Simoncelli said. "It shows how collaboratively a community can surround the belief that we can make the world a better place."

All community members are invited to attend the event, scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. in the main gym of St. Charles North, 255 Red Gate Road. Tickets cost $5 per person or $15 for a family of three or more.