The Wildcat Wranglers will compete this weekend in the RISD Dance Off, a charity benefit for Haiti earthquake relief. Lake Highlands was the first school in the district to have a country and western dance team – they modeled it after the Aggie Wranglers – but now all four schools have a team of their own and they’ll go head-to-head in friendly competition Saturday.
Funds raised will go to Ben and Katie Kilpatrick, RISD graduates who moved to Port-au-Prince Haiti two weeks before the hurricane. They teach history and English to 7th – 11th graders at Quisqueya Christian School there, and they’ve been helping the people of the devastated island put their lives back together. “We have decided to use this donation to invest in a Haitian-run non-profit that is sponsoring school tuition, meals, uniforms, supplies etc. for bright Haitian kids who come from extremely poor families,” said Ben and Katie. “This donation will change a life (or several lives!).”
Marydel Harris, former Wrangler mom and perennial supporter of LH causes, believes in the work the Kilpatricks are doing. “We met Katie two years ago when she was here in Dallas working for the Buckner Foundation,” Marydel said. “She’s an impressive young woman, and I’ve enjoyed reading their blog from Haiti.” Ben graduated from Berkner and Katie Wilhoite Kilpatrick graduated from Pearce. Their blog is available here.
The Dance Off will be held at Pearce High School, 1600 N. Coit Road, from noon to 2 pm this Saturday. This video is from the 2008 Dance Off. Tickets are $5 and are available from any Wrangler or may be purchased at the door.
