Pacific Ballroom Dance’s founder, Cherie Ponder, shared powerful insights and wisdom with our PBD family at a studio workshop mid-August. Cherie shared personal stories and inspirational ideas related to keeping balance as a dancer and in life. Here are a few highlights if you missed it:
• “If you lift your chin too high, it seems arrogant. If you place your chin too low, it appears insecure. Make sure your chin is parallel to the ground, in dance, and in life.”
• “If you give someone power to lift you up, you also give them the power to tear you down. Do not let another’s opinion of you or your dancing define you. You are of infinite worth. Period.”
• “Stand in places where you can keep your balance. If you don’t feel good or able to make good choices in a certain place, do not go there. In dancing we align ourselves with constants. In formation dancing we have an exact position to fill and it requires lining up on the right people. In life th”ere are people and truths that if we align ourselves with —we will play our part with exactness, power, and success.”
• “Between every action and reaction, there is a space. In that space is a choice. In that choice lies your happiness (or balance).”
• “The best way to address a problem (in any relationship–dance partner, teammate, personal) is to look at yourself and take the responsibility. Acknowledge “I have a problem.” If you don’t feel right or good about something, you are the one with the problem, not the other person, so you need to fix it, which may include asking your partner or another person for help. You need to take the responsibility to identify it and solve it without placing blame on another person.”
• In dance and in life we are responsible for our own balance. We should move under control so that we don’t negatively impact other people’s balance and so we can be supportive of people around us who might temporarily lose theirs. It takes a lot of practice and strength to have and maintain balance in the intricate figures of life and dance.”
• “How you think affects your balance. You have control of your thoughts. Control them.”
• “It is never OK to take offense. Control your thoughts, and you’ll be more capable of staying in balance throughout your life and you will be able to steady those around you.”
• “Head weight Matters. What you allow yourself to think can make you or break you as a dancer AND as a person. There is no room for negativity, frustration, anger, pride, jealousy, fear, selfishness, offense–it throws you off balance.”
Cherie also shared some insight to the birth of this great organization. In 1994, Cherie was approached by her church leaders to “fix” the youth dances. The quality of the dances were declining and the leaders told Cherie that if she couldn’t fix them they would be terminated. The dances were held once a month as a place for youth to go to be together in a wholesome environment.
Cherie’s efforts involved the youth in a dance festival. Youth groups from around the Federal Way and Auburn areas learned to dance and performed for each other and audiences in a festival setting. Cherie, with the help of Paul Hart and other local dancers, taught over 300 kids several different routines for the festival.
After the dance festival was over, Cherie received a call from one of the boys–14 year-old Matthew Longhurst–who had participated. He said, “when are we going to dance again?” Cherie replied, “I don’t know, I think it’s all over.”
Cherie expressed the youth’s disappointment along with hers, to her husband, Mark. In response, Mark posed a question to her that started the process that would change the lives of thousands of people over the next 21 years. He said, “Why don’t you start a non-profit?”
I imagine something like this occurred next: Cherie stared at him blankly for a brief second, then quickly her eyes brightened, light started to swell in her face and the corner of her mouth slowly perked up into a half smile. “Why don’t I?!” she said emphatically.
That was the beginning of Pacific Ballroom Dance. For years to follow, Cherie donate her time, talents, and many other resources to bring ballroom dance to youth around South King county and beyond. 12 pairs of young women and young men made up the first team which was known as “48 feet.” Cherie declares that a steady string of miracles kept the program alive and growing. Talented and loving people have crossed paths with the group at imperative moments. A divine hand has opened doors all along the way.
The Pacific Ballroom Dance we know today has been built on lives of sacrifice, service, and faith of many individuals, including our exquisite founder and supporter, Cherie Ponder. We thank her and her husband for their vision, faith, and sacrifice that laid the foundation of an organization that has now reached and changed the lives of thousands of children and youth.