Scholarship Prep South Bay recently had the honor of welcoming RedBoy Productions, a Native American Family Dance Group, to campus for a special performance and assembly. The group comprises various tribes and aims to keep Native American culture alive through their performances and cultural sharing.

Ba'ac Garcia, a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation, leads the Dance Group. Ba'ac and his siblings learned the importance of education and cultural sharing through their mother, Lupe Lopez, who has been an educator in the Long Beach Unified School District for the past 15 years.

During the assembly, students were introduced to the importance of the drum, which is said to be the heartbeat of the Earth. They were also treated to a reading of "The Rough Face Girl" by Lupe Lopez. Students were amazed to learn about the high level of physical fitness and athleticism required for dances, such as the Men's Fancy Dance, and were invited to dance with Ba'ac.

The students also learned about the hoop dance, an art form that involves creating shapes like butterflies, eagles, and the Earth from the hoops. They were also introduced to the dress, made of animal skins, highlighting the importance of using resources and respecting the environment.

Scholarship Prep South Bay is located on the traditional territory of the Tongva (Gabrieleno) people, and this assembly was an excellent opportunity for the students to learn about Native American culture and history. The performance by RedBoy Productions was not only entertaining, but it also helped to foster a deeper understanding of Native American traditions and values. This is one example of Scholarship Prep’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity among its students.