Kourtney Kalahar fondly remembers performing as Principal Dancer in Sarasota Riverview High’s renowned Kiltie Band, doing a Scottish dance atop the bass drum held aloft by fellow band members under those Friday night lights.
“It was so cool,” she said. “One of the highlights of my life.”
The 2008 Riverview alum remembers something else – their rivalry with Manatee High. Not just between John Sprague’s Rams and Joe Kinnan’s Hurricanes, either.
The schools’ dance teams.
“When I was at Riverview, everyone knew the Sugar ‘Canes,” Kalahar said. “What we – the Highland Dancers – were to Sarasota, the Sugar ‘Canes were to Manatee County. Those were the teams. They were it.”
Sixteen years later, Kalahar is the Sugar ‘Canes new director, the program’s third in three years, and has made it her mission to restore the stature of an institution celebrating its 75th anniversary Sept. 19-21.
“My goal is to bring back their traditions, bring back the excellence, the classiness. Bring the Sugar ‘Canes back to who they are to their core, who they should be, what they’ve always been. We’re going to bring them back to their roots. The Sugar ‘Canes are a kick team and have always been a kick team. So we’re going to focus on kick and pom, their core.”
A dancer since childhood, Kalahar minored in dance at Florida State, helped coach the Highland Dancers, started a dance studio, then became director of the Lakewood Ranch Silver Stars for seven years, guiding them to eighth at nationals before stepping aside to start a family.
After a two-year hiatus, the itch returned.
“I really missed coaching dance and knew it would take a special opportunity for me to do it again. So when this opportunity presented itself, I knew instantly this was it.”
There are currently 15 Sugar ‘Canes and Kalahar, assisted by former Sugar ‘Cane Chloe Krywko, envisions no more than 20.
“I’d love to grow the team, but I don’t want it too big. To me it’s all about the skills. It’s more important to me to build excellence, to build a team to be high quality dancers.”
And that goes for Sept. 11’s auditions for a Sugar ‘Cane competition team.
“I like to win and want to get them a national title at some point. That’s my goal.”
· A bow to Janice and Curtis Hamlin, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday.
· And that’s 43 years of wedded bliss for Cheryl and Alan Frank.
· The eternally youthful Jeanette Kelly is 39. Again.
· So is Maureen Haddon.
· Beth Borgen, too.
· And Tina Fetchko.
· Well done to Bayshore High language arts teacher Olivia Boggs, runner-up as the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education Teacher of the Year Awards.
· Reggie Bellamy is 53 years young.
· And Manatee Memorial Hospital’s Employee of the Month for August is House Supervisor Bobby Garner.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944. X (formerly Twitter): @vinmannix.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN MANNIX: Manatee High School hires new coach for dance team
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