AIM are a dedicated group of Hip Hop dancers from Thornlie Senior High School, in Western Australia,  competing in an International competition in America in late January, 2014.  At $4,000 per team member, we need YOUR help to get there. 

Any donation is very much appreciated.  These kids really deserve to go.  Please watch the short video above or take the time to read their story below.

Sponsorships

Corporate and business sponsors are welcomed and will be advertised on our facebook page www.facebook.com/Aimingforusa and on our team tracksuits. Please contact Lori McLinden by emailing lori.mclinden@education.wa.edu.au

#aiming for usa  - The AIM Story 

In late 2011, Thornlie Senior High School began looking for a way of increasing the attendance of at risk students, who were skipping school and were completely disengaged. Hip Hop was identified as something that these students had a passion for.

In 2012, the Student Services Manager worked with the school's Dance Teacher and Year Coordinators to address these concerns and Hip Hop was offered to these students as an extra curricular activity before school, during recess and at lunch times.  These classes were named by the students as Art in Movement.

As the students attended these classes more frequently, the incentive of being able to perform at school events and out of school functions became their main motivation.  If their attendance targets weren't reached they weren't allowed to dance.

The change in these students over the course of the year was dramatic, as they asked for more and more time in the dance studio to practice. They also took on leadership roles, mentoring younger students who became part of the AIM crew. 

At 2 school functions at the end of the year the students had to meet an attendance target of above 90% to perform, only 3 out of 9 students did not meet those targets.

For the first time in 2013, the AIM crew was entered in competitions.  In their very first competition, in April, they came 3rd and they were ecstatic.

2 months later they entered their second competition, which was run by Cheer Unlimited Australia. They placed first and took home the banner for the highest scoring varsity dance team in the competition, taking everyone by surprise. 

This set off a year of 1st place wins that was completely unexpected, in various competitions, including taking home the inaugural perpetural trophy for the highest mark for any age Hip Hop troupe in the Mandurah Festival of Dance.

In each competition the crew members of AIM acted with humility and in a show of good sportsmanship, always congratulated all the other teams in the competitions and in many cases, surprised at their placing, hugged or shook the hands of the organisers or judges of the competitions.  During the year they received many texts or messages from other dance schools or crews or organisers praising their good sportmanship.

In September 2013, AIM competed in the CUA Stars N Stripes Varsity Competition and won a Bid to compete in the All Things Cheer, International Cheer & Dance Championships in Seattle, USA in January 2014. 

This was definitely not something we expected, but we think it is definitely something that this team DESERVES!

Most of these kids have gone from at risk potential, school dropouts to mentors and leaders, respected and looked up to, both within Thornlie Senior High School and in the wider community in which they live and perform.

Without funding they simply cannot afford to go.

Please, we need YOUR help.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story. We hope that you will help by donating some money to help them get to America, every little bit counts. xx