'Tis the season: Dragons give gift that keeps on giving

by Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/24/2014 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England  -- Members of the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron Green Dragons Rising 6 stepped up and donated £3,250 to Highfield School Ely. To support the school's dance program, the donation will give students the opportunity to have fun and enjoy the benefits of having a weekly dance class.

Highfield is one of Cambridgeshire's six area special education schools, with 104 students in attendance. The school provides a large variety of programs and activities to ensure all of the pupils have a fun and flexible curriculum that teaches life skills in a safe and nurturing environment.  One of the programs students enjoy is dance class, which has been threatened due to funding limitations.

"Our organization's purpose this entire was year was to fund the dance lessons that have been cut because of budget constraints," said Tech. Sgt. Gerardo Valdez, 48th CMS Rising 6 outgoing president. "The entire squadron has facilitated the money needed for the program. Approximately 70 Airmen, spouses, local businesses and volunteers have been involved in our cause."

Many students would not have the opportunity to participate in any type of dance program without the school's help since most dance studios are not set up to take in students with disabilities. Dancing on a regular basis gives Highfield students a wide variety of benefits, to include better coordination and muscle development. All of the benefits are apparent in the classroom, where students are more focused and have more discipline due to the teamwork they experience during dance class.

The Highfield faculty and students appreciate everything the Rising 6 has done for their school.

"What they are doing has a real impact here," said Julia Hammond, Highfield School income generator. "Without their support, we would really be struggling, and we would have to reduce our dance provisions. It's hard to say how much we really appreciate that and how much the children will benefit from the class."