In October 2010, Central Valley Afterschool Foundation produced not one, not two, but three events in honor of Lights On Afterschool. Our goals were to 1) Increase public awareness about the importance of afterschool programs, 2) Give students the opportunity to step up their skills by competing, exhibiting and performing, and 3) Engage community, business partners, media, families and friends in the festivities.

The Lights On Afterschool Festival 2010 
The Festival was held on October 30 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in downtown Fresno. A standing-room only crowd of about 500 students, families and friends kicked off the morning with the K-8 "Afterschool's Got Talent" show. Everyone appreciated a variety of afterschool exhibits and fun activities outside, while enjoying great food from vendors and sponsors. The afternoon's "ASSETS Best Dance Crew" competition brought in another packed house, complete with cheering school teams and amazing dance routines. From hip hop to Polynesian, and break dance to Folklorico, high school dance teams brought their best game to the stage.

In the end, more than 40 schools from four counties brought over 1,000 people to downtown Fresno to enjoy a festive event. Congratulations to all the performers and winners!   

ASSETS Best Dance Crew Team Winners
Best overall - Sunnyside HS The Movement
Best overall runner up - Mission Oak HS Hip Hawks
Best Originality - Sunnyside HS The Develop Crew
Best Performance (cultural) - Sanger HS the Foi Loles
Best Showmanship (cultural) - Central HS Danzantes del Tlaloc
Best Performance (hip hop) - Sanger HS BBoying Crew
Best Showmanship (hip hop) - Orosi HS EDC

It was a Lights on Afterschool extravaganza when more than 500 students from 42 schools showcased their afterschool talents on October 21-22 at Sierra Vista Mall.

Dance, art, music, singing, exhibits, activities, storefront displays and a host of special guests delighted hundreds of visitors from around the valley.

The winners of the high school ASSETS Best Dance Crew competition included:

Hip Hop Category:

• Best Performance - Sour Patch Kids, Redwood High School
• Best Showmanship - Upstage Golden, West High School
• Most Original - UCK (Unbreakable Chaos Krew), Lindsay High School

Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event to illuminate the benefits of afterschool programs and draw attention to the pressing need for additional programs. Although the official day for Lights On in 2010 is October 21, thousands of school districts and communities around the country will host Lights On events throughout October. In the Central Valley many school districts will host afterschool open houses to commemorate Lights On Afterschool day.

Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in 1,200 communities nationwide. The following year 3,600 events took place. Today, more than 7,500 Lights On Afterschool rallies are held annually, attracting 1 million Americans and media coverage nationwide.

Lights On Afterschool Central Valley

Central Valley Afterschool Foundation began to celebrate Lights On Afterschool in a big way in 2009. The tradition will continue as long as community support is available.

Expanding on the success of 2009, CVAF introduces a variety of new events for this year’s Lights On Afterschool Central Valley celebration. Central Valley afterschool programs: get your teams ready for this exciting day!

Saturday, October 30
2010 LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL CENTRAL VALLEY FESTIVAL
All Day
Downtown Fresno, Memorial Auditorium

For elementary, middle school and high school students; and families, friends and community members

• We will bring back the ASSETS Best Dance Crew Competition for high school students, bigger and better than ever. You won’t want to miss the outstanding hip hop, multicultural and misc. afterschool dance team numbers.
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