Shikellamy starts the day with some hip-hop

Apr. 10—SUNBURY — Hip hop sounds could be heard for blocks as a national dance company performed inside Shikellamy High School Gymnasium on Wednesday.

Son Kiss'd Dance Concepts, of Texas, was brought to the district thanks to a partnership with the West Branch Arts Consortium. The partnership allows the district to incorporate music, dance and inspirational speaking to students, according to officials.

Performers from Son kiss'd, which was established in 2012, blared music through the gym and students clapped and participated in several different hip-hop dances through the hour performance to start the day.

Lead performer Christopher Thomas, who has performed with mega stars, Sugar Ray, Pit Bull, Flo Rida and others, spoke to the students and began with a bit of street dancing.

"We really appreciate hip-hop performers, Dave Morgan, and the tech crew for putting on an amazing performance," high school Principal Marc Freeman said. "The performance was fun, educational and motivational. The students had a great time learning about hip-hop culture. It was a great opportunity to come together as a school and have a little fun and learn at the same time."

Junior class President Logan Wiest said it was nice to have students gather together and start off the day with some fun.

"Everyone was having a good time," he said. "Students enjoyed the performance and had some fun."

Superintendent Jason Bendle said the district partnered with West Branch Arts Consortium for the past five years and were able to get the performances to Sunbury.

"By doing so we are able to expose our students to various professional music groups from around the world," he said.

Freshman students Macie Long and Azareya Tebar said they enjoyed the performance.

"I was moved by the dancing, and dancing opens my heart to many inspirational things," Long said.

Tebar said learning about hip-hop was great.

"It was really cool and fun and taught me about hip-hop and the diversity of it," Tebar said.