The Hi-Tops are a dance group that was started 34 years ago at Speech and Language Development Center. Members of the dance group are primarily alumni. They range in age from 16 to 48 years. The group just returned from a trip to New Jersey where they performed at the National Special Olympics.
They also traveled to Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. Their motto is, “Dream, believe and achieve because we can.” The Hi-Tops are made up of 19 dancers, 18 alumni and one current student.
The Hi-Tops are a dance group that was started 34 years ago at Speech and Language Development Center. Members of the dance group are primarily alumni. They range in age from 16 to 48 years. The group just returned from a trip to New Jersey where they performed at the National Special Olympics.
They also traveled to Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. Their motto is, “Dream, believe and achieve because we can.” The Hi-Tops are made up of 19 dancers, 18 alumni and one current student.
They were accompanied by an additional 26 people made up of parents, family and staff. They have performed at all National Special Olympics and performed three times at this year’s Special Olympics in New Jersey.
They performed at Mercer County Park on Monday, June 16 and then did two performances in the afternoon at the Special Olympics Town at the College of New Jersey. “The Hi-Tops have a way of touching people’s lives.” Dance Group Director, Sandy Garcia said as she related how when the Hi-Tops were visiting the Lincoln Memorial they did an impromptu performance for some WWII veterans who were visiting from Philadelphia and the performance moved one of the vets to tears.
It’s interesting to note that the group also performed at the airport on Saturday June 14 to welcome Special Olympic athletes as they arrived at Mercer County Airport. What is also exciting is that they performed at the Statue of Liberty, in Times Square in New York and in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
In addition to having the chance to perform, the group also had the opportunity to learn about history as they visited sites like Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the White House and the New York 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
Speech and Language Development Center is a non-profit school and therapy center serving 350 children and young adults, ages three months through 21 years. Based on more than 50 years of knowledge, skill and successes, SLDC provides remediation for language/learning, emotional/social and neurologically-based needs to students with a broad scope of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. The center is certified by the California State Department of Education and licensed by the California State Department of Social Services. For more information, see www.sldc.net.
