ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – It is amazing what we are good at and become passionate about as kids, when we have access to the sports we want to try – regardless of the incomes of our parents.
This is the story of an 11-year-old student at Kelley Lake Elementary School in Decatur. He has taken the opportunity to dance and play football, and he is running with them both.
Right now, Jamal Render is the only boy in his dance class at Kelley Lake Elementary.
“I come to the class because I like expressing myself,” said Render.
He also is known for his plays on the football field. Some of the other students aren’t sure how to take it, feeling like the two sports don’t mix. Jamal feels differently.
“They don’t give me a hard time about playing football, but they give me a hard time about dance because they think it is weird, because I do it and I am the only boy,” said Render.
“What do you think about that?” asked Atlanta News First Reporter Sawyer Buccy.
“When they first said it, I was mad and I was sad, but now I know that they can get inspired by you,” said Render.
Jamal is enrolled in an after-school dance program put on by Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.
“They would experience a very professionally run dance class, just as you would have at Callanwolde,” said Andrew Keenan, executive director of Callanwolde.
The center goes into Title 1 schools, with a fully funded program, and teaches kids how to dance ballet and jazz, and how to enjoy the sport.
“Sometimes our students come, not able to express themselves. They have been through trauma, they have been through other situations where they are shut down, their confidence isn’t high,” said Kelley Lake Elementary School Principal Peggy Davis.
“We wanted to make sure kids were getting the same opportunities as they were getting at Callanwolde,” said Keenan.
Teachers say they can see the changes in the students the further into the program they get.
“Inspiration. I see growth. I see their brains moving,” said Tasha Williams, program coordinator.
“It is so magical, just to watch them perform,” said Davis.
“Yeah, it is a simple thing,” said Keenan.
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This content is reposted from the source: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/03/04/football-playing-ballet-dancer-dekalb-county-thriving-thanks-arts-program/
