JuicyR : The Heart of School Spirit

Dance, dance, dance! That was the weekly routine here at the University of California, Riverside in Spring 2009. For our final project we had to make our own parade that incorporated the moves from several different Brazilian styles of dancing. We were assigned to pick out a theme that had a great significance to people. As a group we decided that our theme would be the lack of school spirit UCR has. UCR is known for being one of the most diverse institutions of the nation but we somehow lack school spirit. School spirit is one of the foundations of having a good memorable college experience. In our group we discussed that the lack of school spirit derives from the lack of unity UCR has. By lack of unity I mean the fact that most ethnic groups just mingle among themselves instead of conjugating with other groups. This brings lack if unity because no one is opened to other cultural practices. This lack of unity brings no school spirit and students are not able to share with other classmates or other ethnic backgrounds. Not being able to share school spirits just deepens the problem of unity even worse. We knew that the lack of unity and school spirit is a big problem here at UCR and it was necessary for us to present it in our parade.

[Meet the Group ! Go U-C-R ! ]




For costumes we decided to go with something that showed off the separation of groups even though we are one school. There were three groups and the letters U, C, and R represented them. Our attire was blue and gold which is school colors but the letters showed the separation of the groups. At the beginning of the performance we can see how the groups are separated and doing their own dances. The audience was also able to capture the expressions the U group portrayed. The expressions of the U group illustrated that they were not interested in no one but themselves. One of their moves symbolized Oxum, the orixa of love, fresh water, and fertility. Oxum is always carrying a mirror, which suggest that she was vain and just into her looks. The U group was indeed dancing to moves that suggest that they had a mirror in their hands. The mirror just allowed the group to see themselves and nobody else. When the U group finished their dance, the C group followed and they had their own dance as well. The C group seemed to be dancing to their own style as well and ignoring the other groups when they were performing. When they finished performing the R group performed and they were more upbeat and school spirited. The U group and the C group realized how much fun they were having and decided to imitate the R group dance movements. When imitating their moves, groups U and C realized that being united brings out more school spirit. Both groups decided to unite and join the third team. Once all three teams were together they incorporated dances from all three groups. When this occurred, the audience was able to realize how different ethnic groups got together to form one group that respected each others culture. When all groups got together one can the U-C-R as a whole instead of segregated. Our theme was conveyed perfectly in our parade because from the beginning groups were separated but then they united together to form school spirit.


In order to have a successful parade one needs music. Our group incorporated a total of three songs. U group used a recent song named "Solta O Frango" from a Brazilian band named “Bonde Do Role”. The following group used the song “Soul Bossa Nova” by Quincy Jones. The final group danced and chanted to a Afro Brazilian dance called “Nostalgie Africa Dance Machine” by Tchiko Tchikaya . All of these three songs represented music from different ethnic backgrounds. Although they were all Brazilian, the beats and dance moves gave it a sense that we danced representing different ethnic backgrounds.

Learning the course material was a bit challenging due to all the symbolism that every dance movement carried. I was not aware that dance movements always mean something. For example, certain orixa’s can move like they have a machete in their hands. Also, Oxossi, another orixa dances and moves like he is carrying a bow and arrow. This bow and arrow means that he can be a hunter or wizard. Omolu uses a horsetail whip when dancing and this suggest that he is carrying a disease. All these characters carry a lot of symbolism and I was not aware of how important that is.

Now that the parade is over, I wish I could change one thing. As a group we lacked facial expressions. Facial expressions were a big key to our parade because our theme was school spirit. Even though at the beginning we were not united, we still had to express our dislikes for other groups. Many just had a straight face while performing. Having facial expressions throughout the whole performance would be something I would want to add.

Overall, as the leader of the group I had many great challenges and I learned a few things about myself in the process. First I had to assign people their jobs and they had to agree with it. Once we all had our jobs it was time to work for our parade! There was one person who did not show up to one major rehearsal and I had talk to that individual because everyone’s grade could have been in jeopardy. As the leader I needed to fix the problem but I was also afraid to confront a person. Therefore, I had to learn to speak up in order to better the problem. Speaking up now about problems was not as hard as before. At the end we had a great parade for the campus to enjoy. Go Juicy R!


[Looking at the Competition very intensively, including Ryan! ]


[The U Group imitating Oxum]

[ C Group...Austin Powers anyone?]



[ R Group...just being upbeat ]


[Fun day at Rehearsals...I took the picture]


[ The Finishing Product....UCR is united and full of school spirit....Go Highlanders!]








-Stephanie Flores