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High School South students on stairway NBA main photo

High School South team at NBA headquarters

South dance for NBA personnel October 2024
A trip to NBA facilities in Secaucus and NYC included tours, games, meetings with league professionals, and student-led dance performances to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Story below.

'Amazing' and 'unforgettable'

Oct. 22, 2024-- On Oct. 10, the Hispanic Heritage Clubs of all three high schools embarked on their biggest journey yet: two simultaneous dance performances at the NBA headquarters in Secaucus and Manhattan.

One of the core missions of the Hispanic Heritage Club, particularly over the past two years, has been to uplift the Hispanic community of Toms River and provide greater points of access for students and families. One such method included leveraging the talents of students studying dance, and providing showcases for them to demonstrate their abilities and culture.

It was through those efforts within the community that the attention of National Basketball Association representative Joe Lopez was piqued. Lopez reached out to High School South’s Hispanic Heritage Club advisor Gabriel Rodriguez to collaborate on hosting several student dance performances at NBA headquarters as part of the league’s various workshops for Hispanic Heritage Month and the CONEXIÓN ÉNE-BÉ-A team.

“It’s not often that students get the chance to perform in the offices of a multi-billion dollar company, get a tour of said offices, and interview those workers,” said Rodriguez. “It was a tremendous opportunity to expand the minds and visions of our students, and open them up to the world of possibilities that were available to them.”

After many hours of practice and preparation, Hispanic Heritage Club students from East, North, and South boarded one bus together and departed for NBA headquarters.

bus ride to NBA headquarters HHCs October

Three schools, one bus, and High School North Hispanic Heritage Club advisor Ann Gural caught in the middle.

Upon arrival at the Secaucus building, the students were treated to a generous lunch and an introduction to the amazing facilities in front of them. East and North students remained in Secaucus, where they were given an in-depth tour of the facility including looks into the production process and operations. They were granted the opportunity to speak with league professionals in order to gain insight into their roles, what skills and education are needed, and how students can set themselves up in high school for those opportunities.

“My favorite memory was getting a tour of the building,” said East student Allison Palacios Ramirez, “where I learned that the NBA is not only about basketball. I was able to meet some of the people who work there and the different tasks they have.” 

East advisor Liz Rodriguez and students

The Hispanic Heritage Club began initially at High School East under the leadership of Sra. Liz Rodriguez (top left) in 2012, with the goal of providing an outlet for Hispanic students to express their culture and connect with the school. In 2024, Rodriguez was accompanying her students to NBA offices, a full-circle moment.

In the afternoon, students took the lead, showcasing a 20-minute long medley of dances including bachata, merengue, zapateado, tribal, la marinera, cumbia, and salsa, among others. The exciting performance was seen by many within the office, providing an authentic look into Hispanic culture and what Toms River students have to offer.
High School Norths Hispanic Heritage Club students

High School North's Hispanic Heritage Club students

Meanwhile, the Hispanic Heritage Club students of High School South ventured to NYC, where– at the same time as their peers from East and North, but 17 stories up a Manhattan high-rise– they showcased their own talents for league personnel. Their performance ranged from regional Mexican specialties such as danza de los viejitos and tribal, to the Honduran punta dance, to a medley of various Caribbean dances, and even breakdancing.

“Being able to bring what I have to the performance and finally show my breakdancing,” was a highlight for South’s Angel Carpinteyro. “My brother taught me this style of dancing and never got this opportunity, and being able to experience being in the NBA building while talking to Shelby about Jabbawockeez and other dance crews was amazing.”

High School Souths Angel Carpinteyro does his thing in front NBA executives

High School South's Angel Carpinteyro does his thing in front NBA executives. Is a halftime show performance next? Hmmm ...

After the energizing performance, students were likewise given the opportunity to tour the building, ask questions of the staff, and envision a future they never thought possible. The message across both locations was clear: You have more opportunity in your life than you realize, and with some hard work and effort, you can realize a brighter future than you ever thought possible.

After reuniting in Secaucus, students were given extremely generous gifts from the NBA, which included an assortment of merchandise gathered by various departments.  

gifts from the NBA after student performances

It was a final display of generosity from the NBA, which was, according to Gabriel Rodriguez, “remarkably supportive each step of the way, echoing the sentiments that the Hispanic community is incredibly powerful when united, and that there are more opportunities available to them than they realize.”

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wasn’t lost on students.

High School East’s Erik Garcia-avila, for example, described the experience as “unforgettable.” He said, “This trip influenced my thoughts about my future, because it gave me confidence and made me proud of my culture.”


Additional photos and video below.

High School North in Secaucus

High School South in NYC