POTSDAM – A Zumba Para Los Ninos Cinco de Mayo Celebration is set for Saturday, May 5 in the Potsdam High School gymnasium, to benefit The Dick Murphy/Dalton Guyette Memorial Youth Project.

Zumba will be from 6 to 8 p.m., adults in the main gym and Zumbatomic and games in the small gym.

Registration is from 5 to 5:45 p.m.

Instructors are Alisah Todd, Stephanie Plaisted, Kim French, Kate Mikel, Terri Blair, Danielle Grant, Megan Preston, and Matt Warner.

They will have door prizes. Face painting and work on hair and nails for a donation will be provided by cosmetology students from Seaway Tech.

Registration is $15, $12 for children, includes a t-shirt or tank top. Pay be cash or check to Memorial Youth Project.

Registration forms are available through the instructors or at MVP Sports, Pine Street.

This group searches for children in need. They award scholarships to participate in various activities throughout the community. Scholarships are given to deserving children in such a way as to be a source of pride to the families, not a handout they have requested.

The Dick Murphy/ Dalton Guyette Memorial Youth Project began eight years ago. One little boy was offered a soccer scholarship. His parents bought him shin guards and took him to practice. The next year we offered the same thing to three more children and it fell through. They didn’t get to play. The Potsdam Elks Club agreed to let them call this the Elks Youth Scholarship. Tom Chappell and Helping Hands maintain their checking account thereby allowing them to purchase equipment and supplies tax exempt.

People volunteered who were willing to give their time to provide transportation, support, and befriend the parents.

Since its inception, the program has grown. Originating in Potsdam, there are now programs in Canton, Gouverneur, Colton, Parishville, Norwood, and Madrid, with the hope of moving throughout St. Lawrence County.

In the past eight years, they have awarded scholarships to nearly 400 children. Many of them participate in several activities each year. In addition to sports scholarships, they also provide transportation and scholarships for Girl Scouts, AP Classes, art lessons, and they have purchased or rented musical instruments for students who could not afford them.

We feel that this is a very worthwhile program. It is our sincere belief that if children are involved in their communities, they are more likely to stay out of trouble, in school, and they will lead happier, healthier, more productive lives. We hope they will ultimately graduate from high school and if possible, have enough confidence in themselves to go on to college.