Photo of Ballet Folklórico Jaguara taken in 2000

The First Year, 1997-98

Moisés E. Molina High opened in August 1997. The school was named after a very popular band and mariachi director who was an inspiring Hispanic teacher with the Dallas Public Schools.

Ms. Gallego transferred from W. E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy (where she was the director of the folklórico program) with the intent of designing a dance program with a broader scope that would better address the special needs and unique talents of Hispanic students in the Oak Cliff neighborhood.

One week before the 1997 school year began, Ms. Gallego went on a tour of the facility. She had to wear a hard hat because the Fine Arts Wing was still under construction. While viewing what was to be the dance studio Ms. Gallego commented, "This room feels like a closet." The worker providing the tour replied, "That is because it was supposed to be the closet for the band and choir uniforms."

 The room was dark with a low ceilings was half the size of the studio at Greiner. The studio at Greiner was  too small.  The planks of wood lay waiting in a bundle ready to be place directly over the concrete. The next morning, Ms.Gallego turned in her resignation. Ms. Kimm, the principal and Ron Brashear, School Board Representative, assured her they would work with her to provide for the Molina students. There was no going back, the position at Greiner had been filled.

Sharing the borrowed yellow dress. With the help of student leaders, Julian Garcia, Karla Canamar and Martin Rios, a dancing community was born. The school district provided $2,000 for costumes. It was not enough to outfit a folkloric ensemble so the decision was made to spend the money on salsa costumes. The girls took turns performing in a yellow folklórico costume that belonged to Noemi Muñoz, one of the founding members.  

In the Cafeteria and in the hallway. During the first year classes  were held in the cafeteria and in the hallway. Ms. Gallego developed Morton's Nueroma, a condition where the nerves in the feet swell. When her inquires into workers compensation got no response, she consulted her brothers who are both attorneys.

Fund Raising traditions. The founding members wasted no time. The tradition of the annual garage sale Labor Day weekend and  the Annual Candy Sale in October were initiated during the first year. 

Dance for the Planet Festival.  Ballet Folklorico Jaguara participated in the first annual Dance for the Planet Festival.

The Second Year, 1998-99

Move into the drama room. The drama room was much more spacious. Although the masonite floor was not a dance floor at least it was placed over wood supports that provided some spring. Gradually Ms. Gallego's feet improved. The room was without mirrors. Mirrors are essential in a dance room not just as an aesthetic tool, but also as a tool for monitoring behavior. Ms Vargas, the PTA president donated a 4'X8' sheet of plastic mirror. Vargas. Ms. Gallego strategically placed the 4x8 sheet of plastic mirror against the wall to monitor students. The girls took turns dancing in front of the tiny improvised mirror.

Purchase First Set of Costumes. With the funds acquired during the 1997-98 school year, Ballet Folkórico Jaguara was able to begin their acquisition of costumes purchasing eight Jalisco dresses.

Afro-Latino concert--Tambores/Drums	Karla accepts trophy from Silvia Lozano

The Third Year, 1999-2000

Mirror, mirror on the wall. Jaguara was selected for Portarits in Excellence, a video produced by The Center for Educator Development in the Fine Arts (CEDFA) that would be distributed across the state to set the benchmarks for excellence.  Ms. Vargas, President of the PTA, spoke to Ms. Kimm, principal, regarding the fact that an exemplary program should have mirrors. So in 1999, the day before the film crew arrived Duncanville Mirror and Glass installed forty feet of mirrors along one wall.

Dress like Dancers. Looking at the Portraits video the students were impressed with how they looked in dance practice clothes as opposed to PE practice clothes. The dancers in Ballet Folklorico Jaguara set the policy that they would dress out in dance attire.

Publish our first website. With the advent of our first website the Folklorico Festival of Texas exploded, doubling in size. 

Afro-Latino Program. With funds raised the second year, the group purchased Vera Cruz costumes and presented the first Afro-Latino Program celebrating the African the heritage of Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

First International Guest Artist. With the help of a Cultural Mini Grant the Festival hosted its first international guest artist, Silvia Lozano.

The Fourth Year, 2000-01

Teacher of the Year.  Director, Liz Gallego, selected at the Texas Association for Health, Physical Recreation, and Dance Teacher of the Year.

First Junior League Grant for Innovations in Education presented for Cultural Connections Project.

First out of town trip.  Nancy, Xochitl, Blanca and Evelyn had a blast in San Antonio at the Fine Art Summit.

 Dance magazine. The program at Molina is featured in the April 2001 issue of Dance Magazine, the largest dance publication in the world.

 Dress Out Policy Expanded. When the other advanced students viewed Portraits in Excellence in the fall they wanted to know why they were not considered for the video tape. Ms. Gallego replied, "Look at the dancers in the video and look at your class." finally one student replied, "They are dressed like dancers and we are dress like PE." It was decided by consensus that all advanced classes would dress out in dance attire.

The Fifth Year, 2001-02

Electric Experimental Floor. The School Distinct requested that the program at Molina try a new floor that the district was considering for future installation in all new schools. The floor had too much surface traction. When executing a spin the body turned and the feet remained stuck to the floor like suction cups. When the weather was right the floor generated static electricity.  Following the video taping of the second CEDFA video, Dance for All Learners, the floor was removed. 

Dress out Policy Continues to Expanded. When the film crew came to video Dance For All Learners, they wanted to film special learners. The beginner classes followed the example of the advanced dancers and began to dress out in dance attire. All classes dressed out 95%+ each day. 

First Field Trip to Austin. The program Molina is invited to participate at Fine Arts Day at the Texas State Capitol. Group presents a part of the Cultural Connections Project.

$50,000 Wardrobe. Jaguara fundraising builds $50,000 wardrobe.

The Sixth Year, 2002-03

Teacher of the Year Again. This time Director, Liz Gallego was selected as Teacher of the Year by the Southern Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (13 states).

Found Silvia Lozano Dance Honor Society. At the Southern Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Ms. Gallego is presented one of the first Charters in the US to found a National Dance Honor Society Chapter.

Teacher Feature. Ms. Gallego becomes the first teacher selected to be featured on the first CEDFA website.

First Salsa de Carnival. Thirty-six students dance a Celia Cruz favorite, La Vida es un Carnaval, in the Cinco de Mayo Parade and start a tradition.

Conte de Loyo Scholarship. Edgar Cuadra becomes the first recipient of the Conte De Loyo Scholarship presented by the Dance Council.

Dance for the Planet.  Molina participates each year at Dance for the Planet Festival, beginning with the first year in April 1997. The Dance Classes of 2002-03 set a participation record 84 students. All all dance classes participate in the  festival.

Meet Elect Officials and Lobby. Much more prepared than during the first visit to Austin, students meet with state elected officials and distribute packets of information on Ballet Folklorico Jaguara and on  the Folklorico Festival of Texas.  Student  lobby on behalf of the Mexican American community to re-establish the Cultural Mini Grants that  have been beneficial in bringing in guest teachers to the festival.

Cultural Mini Grants frozen. Festival is able to brings four guest teachers using Southwest Airlines.

Group produces Heroínas de La Independencia Mexicana/ Heroines of Mexican Independence, the project helps Ms. Gallego win Disney Award.

The Seventh Year, 2003-04

A First Grade Maple Floating Floor. In 2002-03 the Dance Program was rated #1 by the Dallas ISD Dance Teacher Association and granted funds to purchase and install a prime grade Maple floating floor. 

Lose all our savings.  Prior to the beginning of the school year all club sponsors are called to the school for an emergency meeting. The Dance Program loses over $17,000.

National Standards for Dance. Ms. Gallego serves on the committee to revise the National Standards for Dance.

Disney Teacher of the Year Award.  Disney comes to school May 4, 2004 to video Ms. Gallego for the K-12 Fine Arts Teacher of the Year Award. Crew films ¿Que Es Hispanic?, the 2004 Interdisplinary Project.

Drop in participation. With the change from eight period block schedule to seven period day, the dance program loses dance leaders. Participation drops to 11%.

Ex-Student Volunteers. With all the problems faced during the 2003-04 school year, ex-students at Mountain View lent a helping hand an established the tradition of student volunteers.  

Scholarships. Festival helps PTA Raise $1,000 for scholarships.

Amanda Romero follows in Edgar Cuadra's footsteps and becomes the second recipient of the Conte de Loyo Scholarship.

Cultural Mini Grants are reinstated.

Lose Lookers. The main hall lockers are no longer issued to dance students. Dress out policy continues though not with 95% participation.

The Eighth Year, 2004-05

Rebuild Program. Students work hard to rebuild dance program.

American Airlines Salsa Conference. Selected Students attend first salsa conference, August 2004. 

Principal funds account.  Francisco Ramirez, principal, takes proceeds from the school store to replace the lost Washington Mutual and Disney grants. 

Molina breaks 2003 Dance for the Planet Festival participation record of 84 students with 96 Molina students participating in the Festival.

Molina wins first place in Cinco de Mayo parade  with 89 students participating. Ten folklórico and 49 salsa girls dance in the parade.

Third Junior League Grant is presented for Heroes Without Statues Project.

TExES Development. Ms. Gallego serves on all four stages of the TExES development process (test for teacher certification in Texas).

Disney Training. Ms. Gallego receives 75 hours of leadership training in Anaheim and Orlando.

Kakilambe Project with Sanhk Rasa and Adoración al Sol project set new standards for percussion accompaniment. Projects also win top awards at Folklorico Festival of Texas.

Students Attend TITAS performances. Forty students attend dance concerts: Balié Folclórico Da Bahia, Brazil (20) and Noche Flamenca (nuevo flamenco) (20). 

Four students receive summer scholarships. Aime Cruz became the third recipient of the Conte de Loyo Scholarship; Jessika Villafuerte received a PTA Scholarship; Laiza Echevarria received a TAHDC scholarship; Yesenia Zarrazas received a Silvia Lozano scholarship. Imelda Quiroz understudy.
 

The Ninth Year, 2005-06

Salsa Students maintain tradition of attending the American Airlines Salsa Conference in August.

Ballet Folklórico Jaguara is the featured in Duncanville's and in Terrell's in the first Hispanic Celebrations ever held in either city.

Salsa Team Performs for the first time at a Football Pep Rally.

Jaguara wins first place award in Thanksgiving Square Contest.

Salsa Team participates in a Christmas Parade in Arlington and repeats performance in Cockrell Hill.

Students finally receive Aztec regalia. Original designed were created by Isela Flores, IZTLI Designs.

Jaguara competes against the three best public school folklórico groups in the United States and wins a second place at the Folklorico Festival of Texas. 

Dancers maintain Dance for the Planet participation record with 91 dancers performing.

Molina High School Dance Program  Team wins fourth Junior League Grant for Innovations in Education for their Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Project Zoot Suits Then and Now.

Yesenia Zararas, Jaguara Captain, is awarded The Rasa de Oro Award for outstanding community service, scholarship and leadership. She was also awarded  scholarship to study with Tizoc at the Mountain View College Folklorico Boot Camp.

Students from the Class of 2000-2002 visit with Ms. G. to thank her for her inspiration.

The Tenth, 2005-06

Salsa Dancers, Joe Cabrera and Yajaira Leon receive scholarships to study with George and Jailrelbhi Furlong, directors of Evolution Tango. The summer scholarship was extended for the 2006-07. Jacob Flores,  another salsa team member, also received a scholarship to study during the 2006-07 school year. In May ,the students had their scholarships renewed and they were invited to perform with the company  in concert at the Latino Cultural Arts Center.

Salsa Students attend and perform at the American Airlines Salsa Conference in November. 

Salsa Team and Parade Team join forces for a football game half-time show. 

Folklorico performs at the Texas State Capitol for Fine Arts Day and are feature in School Zone Dallas.

Salsa Team joins the Parade Team in the Christmas Parade and Celebration in Cockrell Hill.

Host the Texas Salsa Championship, March 30th.

Cumbiaholics, an all male cumbia team, is formed and performs  widely in the community. They are a hit in the Cinco de Mayo parade and performances.

Norteño dance group makes a hit in Cinco de Mayo assembly.

Folklorico invited to perform at the DFW International Festival. Students perform in the beautiful Majestic Theater in a professional setting.

Perform at Dance for the Planet following a week of TAKS testing only 42 students attend.

Molina High School Dance Program receives award from Samuel Grand Park for Community Service recognizing the 200+ plus community performances.