As written by Ms. Warren, East-West School Math Teacher and Dare To Dream Director:
For members, this club aims to develop high self-esteem, a positive self-image, and confidence through the performing arts. Students are required to analyze music from their favorite bands, connect the lyrics to their lives, and create a singing and dancing performance that will be showcased at Muster.
According to Vicki Zhang, Olivia Villafane, Jae Cheong, Pauline Chen, and Lei Lei (2012), “One Direction has inspired many of their fans with their personalities and their songs…Their song ‘Little Things’ helped girls realize that they may not be perfect but it’s still okay…There are many talented students at East-West but some are afraid to show their talents. One Direction inspired us and many other fans and we believe that they would inspire the students to not be afraid to express their talents to the East-West community. We will do performances of showing these talents like dancing or singing. We will have group discussions of how One Direction inspired us. We will find the meaning of lyrics and explain how we can relate it and what does it mean to us personally. Therefore, this is just an overview of what we are going to do in Dare to Dream.” The founders of this club are extremely excited and dedicated. They drafted an initial proposal and have had multiple meetings with administration to start this club. I believe middle school boys and girls are looking for a way to express themselves artistically in a safe setting.