Cheer, dance, gymnastics team studio seeking participants

Parents whose children dream of earning future Olympic gold, have a program in town to aid them in that endeavor.

Pahrump's VIP All-stars CDG (Cheer, Dance Gym), is the only studio in town offering competitive cheer, dance and gymnastics as well as dance classes to choose from.

Fundraising Coordinator Alicia Lewis said the program, which recently underwent a few changes, has returned with new ownership and is offering additional activities.

"We are going through some revamping and doing some new programs," she said. "We will be introducing boxing because we're trying to be more community-oriented and not just for the kids. We are also bringing in some adult programs as well."

The program is open to youth age two years up to 18. Lewis said teams are divided by age.

"The age range depends on the program itself," she said. "For cheer, we take them as young as two years old. We currently have a tiny team, a mini team, a youth team and a senior team. Once they are adults they do get cut off the program because it's a youth program."

The VIP All-stars provide both competitive and recreational teams.

Lewis said their dance classes recently competed at Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas, where one team from Pahrump took home first-place honors for the first time.

"We also have a national competition which is called the Jamz and there will be teams from all over the United States competing in that one. We will be competing at the Wet n Wild in Arizona the first weekend in April and then we will compete at Knott's Berry Farm in California on the 23rd of April. For the cheer program, we compete all over."

Aside from the physical aspects of the program, Lewis said there's an additional benefit, related to academics.

"The gym class can be great preparation for someone who is interested in competing in the Olympics in the future," she said. "It can also be something that kids can use for scholarships later on. This is something that's great, because it prepares them for that and if they decided they want to go into the middle school or high school level of cheer, that's something that can absolutely get scholarships for college. We also do all kinds of community-oriented things which the kids can use on their college application as well."

Lewis noted that the program does take the child's age into consideration.

When competing, the judges look for additional attributes beyond talent and ability.

"When you see the little ones out there, keeping them focused on the routine inside the gym is one thing, but when they get out on the mats and they've got all the crowds and the noise and distractions, it really is something special," she said. "They definitely get points for being cute and I think we have the cutest ones out there."

At present, the VIP All-stars gym is located at 301 Oxbow Ave., near the Saitta-Trudeau car dealership.

Lewis said the program is in the process of finding another practice venue.

"We are looking to expand and move into a higher development with our team," she said. "We are going to be moving into a new facility come the first part of next month. The new facility has not been disclosed just yet, but we are looking to make bigger improvements. The high school has also been wonderful in letting us use their facility. "

To learn more about the VIP All-stars CDG, parents can call 775-727-5309, or visit the gym after 3:30 p.m.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com