By Trina LoganRegister ContributorWhen you think about school spirit and entertainment, you think of cheerleaders, the A&T Marching Machine and Golden Delight. Do we really ever notice our own dancing troupe “Aggie Essence,” which presents hot entertainment during school events? Do we realize the average training day that goes into performing? Do we realize the community service that they do to support different causes? Aggie Essence have been a part of A&T’s scene for many years. The group combines hip-hop moves with classic dance routines. However, Aggie Essence has not always had a good reputation. “Each year Aggie Essence has endured a lot of negative feedback.,” said Eboni Davis, a junior broadcast news major and the captain of Aggie Essence. “I am optimistic in believing that the students of A&T will critique us for skill and creativity rather than stereotypes of the past.””I feel that it is not important for us to prove anyone stereotype to be wrong. But it is important to do our personal best and if our personal best is our best then it is what everyone will notice,” said Gianina Hayes, a senior broadcast production major and assistant advisor. Aggie Essence members dance five days a week for two hours. They work out two days during the week for an hour, running and climbing the Moore Gym stairs. At Tuesday and Thursday workouts, they receive outside help. Their personal trainer does cardio with the group for 20 minutes. Then the group is divided to do upper and lower body strength training. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, they work on the routines themselves.Aggie Essence also does numerous volunteer activities in the community. They put together the “Little Miss Aggie Essence Pageant” in which they mentor to little girls. On Dec. 1 they will be participating in the Winter Walk for Aids.Aggie Essence seems to be starting off with the right tactics to have a promising year. “Our new members seem to be very dedicated & talented because all of them have had previous experience,” Hayes said. “Our overall objective is to perform at halftime during basketball season,” said Davis. “The future plans are to get the girls conditioned so that the girls can go to camp this summer in order to be in competition squad 2002-2003.”

OTHER UPCOMING SHOWSVerge modeling show Nov. 15 in Harrison AuditoriumCouture’s show “MC Battle” Nov. 29Couture Christmas Celebration Dec. 6. The organization also will be doing a clothing and food drive throughout the semester.