Others say cultural dancing is a hard sell to teens who see themselves as too cool. John Griego, a School District 11 official, says interest in cultural activities fell off during Colorado's controversial English-only period in the 1980s. But teens are showing interest again with the resurgence of Latin music. I think it's simpler than that. Guys just don't know what they're missing.
Latin music is popular.
Benavidez's troupe is asked to perform as many as 70 times a year all over the Pikes Peak region at school assemblies, events at military bases - and the upcoming Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Longtime members of the troupe are hoping to attract boys who want to be part of the experience but don't know what it's like. Cecilia Cervantez, the mother of two children, says her family is involved in folk dancing on both sides of the border. Brothers, sisters, uncles - 28 family members perform for dance troupes. In the Hispanic community, teen boys involved in Latin dancing are considered the most macho, Cervantez said.