Nearly $7,000 Raised for Ballroom Dance Team

On hand for the check presentation were (from left) VPCC President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, Tiarra Johnson, Adonai Jackson, VPCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cyndie Callaway, Kaitlyn McFadden, coach and adviser Pam Roberts, and Faizon Alexander. Johnson, Jackson, McFadden and Alexander are members of the college's award-winning ballroom dance team.

Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon's support for Virginia Peninsula Community College's award-winning ballroom dance team comes through in her words and deeds.

At last month's All College Day, a symbolic start to the academic year, the team kicked off the event with a performance. When the dancers finished, Brannon encourage faculty and staff to make financial donations to the team, announcing she would match any contributions made by the end of the day.

On Monday, Sept. 12, at the end of the team's first practice of the fall season, Brannon presented adviser Pam Roberts and the team with a $6,855 check.

"I believe in healthy competition, and I figured if the president said she was going to match the offer, then it would inspire people to give more," Brannon said after the presentation.

Not only was she surprised at the amount raised, but also how generous people were.

"There are people who gave hundreds of dollars," she said. "That was pretty impressive."

Roberts of the business office started the team in 2016. She said the support from the president means a lot to her and the team.

'We've really been out there for the College, trying to promote the College, and they were very overwhelmed and ecstatic that they have backing from the top," Roberts said of the team's reaction when it heard of the matching donation.

According to Roberts, the team represented the College in more than 70 appearances in the year before the pandemic.

"Only half of that was here at the school," she said. "The rest was out in the community where we were asked to come and perform."

The team receives funding from Student Activities, but costs can run $3,000 for one competition. The team usually participates in four competitions a year, two each semester. Even with that money, students pay for some of their equipment.

Brannon said the donations from faculty and staff show team members how much support they have on campus, and that the College community is not only interested in them, but also invested in them. It's something that is easy to say, but to back it up with financial donations drives home the point.

"It's evidence that you truly do support them," Brannon said.

Roberts said team members are aware and proud of the role they play in enhancing the College's image and reputation. She has never had to worry about the team at any of their events.

"The older ones keep the new ones in check," she said. "They know we're out representing the school and they take that very seriously."

Faizon Alexander, a member of the team for several years, said even though the team always is eager to participate on behalf of the College, knowing they have all this support will give them even more motivation.

"It makes us want to go out and represent," he said. "It's providing a sense of university that most community colleges don't really offer."

Team practices are Mondays at 5 p.m. in the Wythe Hall Gallery, and all students are welcome to attend. Learn more about the ballroom dance team and other student clubs and organizations here.