Six elementary school students from Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, have captured attention by winning a gold medal at a national dance competition through their dedication to ballet practice every weekend.
The children, who attend different schools, formed a team through an after-school cultural arts program, emphasizing the significance of their achievement through consistent practice and teamwork.
On November 9, Gangjin County announced that the 'Raonjena' team from the Gangjin Cultural Club won the gold medal in the elementary division for creative ballet ensemble at the 66th Mokpo Arts Festival National Dance Competition held on October 17.
The team members include Kim Ga-eun (4th grade), Yoon Seo-ha (4th grade), Choi Ha-seon (4th grade), Yoon Eun-ji (3rd grade), Seo Ji-woo (4th grade), and Lee Seo-woo (2nd grade).
Although they attend Gangjin Central Elementary, Gyesan Elementary, and Doam Elementary, their shared interest and passion for ballet brought them together.
The students met through the Gangjin Cultural Club, which supports cultural and artistic activities for local children and youth through after-school programs.
The Raonjena team gathered every Saturday at the Gangjin Youth Training Center to practice under the guidance of a professional instructor, steadily improving their skills from basic movements to creative ensemble choreography.
To enhance their performance, they focused on synchronizing their movements and breathing as a group through repetitive practice.
Their efforts paid off on the stage of the national dance competition.
The students showcased stable breathing and expressive movements based on the techniques they had learned, earning recognition for the quality of their creative ensemble and securing the gold medal in the elementary division.
This achievement demonstrates that even in regions with limited access to professional dance education, sustained cultural arts education and the enthusiasm of students can lead to meaningful accomplishments.
Importantly, the process of practicing and collaborating toward a common goal allowed the children from different schools to develop not only their artistic talents but also their confidence and sense of community.
Gangjin County plans to continue supporting programs that enable local children and youth to experience diverse cultural and artistic activities and discover their aptitudes and talents.
Kim Soo-jin, head of the Gangjin County Happiness Department, expressed pride in the students, stating, "I am proud of the students who worked hard to achieve great results while balancing their studies and weekend practices. We will actively support the children and youth of Gangjin to experience various cultural and artistic activities and fully realize their talents and dreams."
Meanwhile, the Gangjin Cultural Club operates after-school programs to provide cultural arts and experiential opportunities for local children and youth. Currently, it offers various programs, including ballet classes, AI digital ecological exploration, and drone soccer, supporting cultural and experiential activities for local youth.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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