Social Dance Club a true gem

Founded in 2009 by Andrea Holyoak, the Social Dance Club is a unique dance team made up of young men and women ages 14–18 from across Southeast Idaho. For more than a decade, students from Grace, Soda Springs, Bear Lake, North Gem, Preston, Marsh Valley, Pocatello, and Arco have gathered early every Friday morning to learn a wide variety of social dance styles.

From the beginning, the club’s mission has gone far beyond dance. It was built to be a neutral place where teens could come together, make friends, learn respect, serve their community, and build confidence. The club has become a beacon of connection between schools that might never cross paths otherwise — cultivating kindness and friendships that last long after graduation.

In 2020, I took over leadership of the club. Due to pandemic restrictions, we were unable to host a live audience for our show, so we shifted our efforts online and produced a virtual performance. Even then, we made sure our tradition of giving back remained unchanged.

Since then, we’ve stayed true to the values that have always made this club special. While the dancing is important, it has never been the main focus. What matters most is creating a space where teens can escape the pressures of life, have fun, and feel like they belong.

We welcome students from every background FFA members, show choir performers, state champion wrestlers, drama students, rodeo competitors, football players, volleyball players, basketball players, cross country runners,  truly all walks of life. Some weeks we dance more, other weeks we socialize more, and that balance is exactly what makes our club unique.

Our annual Christmas performance is especially meaningful. All proceeds from the show are used to give back to members of our community who may be struggling during the holiday season. Late one snowy night, our seniors come together to bundle up, head out, and deliver gifts, hope, and joy to those who may otherwise be overlooked. It is often challenging to find the people who need help most but that makes the experience all the more rewarding. Each year, our students learn firsthand the power of service and the impact they can make.

The Social Dance Club continues to thrive because of the love and dedication of our students, families, and community. We are grateful to be part of something that brings teens together, celebrates who they are, and encourages them to carry kindness with them wherever
they go.