SCHOOL KIDS STOMPIN' IN STYLE.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Clogging - ``hillbilly tap dancing'' to some - has caught on at Mariposa School.

Third-grade teacher Helen Ellery formed the Mariposa Cloggers six years ago, and the dancers have performed around Lancaster and annually at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

``It's similar to tap dancing, but you use both toe and heel, whereas in tap you're on your toes,'' Ellery said. ``We do not have the turns, like ballet. This is more stomping. It really looks good. We've got a pretty good reputation around the district.''

Over the years, membership in the group has averaged 20 to 25 boys and girls in the beginning class and six to 15 in the advanced class. The students meet after school for an hour on Thursdays and Fridays, and they practice on the cafeteria stage.

Advanced students who have moved on to middle school return to perform with the group.

Park View Middle School eight-grader Diane Ramirez has been dancing with the troupe since it began. She signed up not knowing what clogging was.

``It sounded like fun,'' Ramirez said. ``It sounded like something totally different, so it sounded like fun.''

Sara Perry, 9, said she likes clogging's fast pace and movements. ``I like how our feet go really, really fast,'' Perry said.

Clogging is a distinctive American dance form that has its origins in the Appalachian Mountains, according to a publication devoted to the dance form.

The folk dances of Irish, Scottish, English and Dutch-German settlers in the 1700s merged into an impromptu foot-tapping style, which was the beginning of clog dancing as it is known today, according to the Double Toe Times Clogging Magazine.

Ellery said her group does American clogging, not Celtic clogging. There are hundreds of steps and movements with names like Kentucky Drag, Grapevine, Bugle Call, Bonanza and the Basic Basic triple.

Clogging shoes are not wooden but have extra-loud double-steel taps on the heel and toe. ``It's like castanets. There's a fixed piece and a connected piece,'' Ellery said.

Since clogging shoes are more expensive, at about $75 per pair, the Mariposa group uses professional tap shoes. For students who can't afford to buy tap shoes, Ellery has a supply on hand for borrowing.

``They give me $5 for the shoes at the beginning of the year. When they return the shoes, they get their money back,'' Ellery said.

The costumes over the years have been homemade with the help of teachers or put together with what Ellery can afford out of her pocket. The group is looking for a sponsor to help fund the efforts.

Last school year, the group performed a patriotic number and wore black pants with silver sequins sewn down the sides and olive green camouflage hats and T-shirts.

The cloggers twirled wooden rifles painted silver that were made by Ellery's father.

Ellery founded the group after a colleague at the school found out she could dance. Ellery used to tap dance and was active in college theater.

``Someone found out I clogged. The next thing I knew, I was signed up to teach clogging,'' Ellery said. ``It all started with a casual conversation in the lounge.''

Parent Jan Bell said her daughter Jessica started clogging in the third grade and, now in middle school, enjoys staying with the group.

``I am at many of the practices, so I see firsthand the love and attention Mrs. Ellery brings to her cloggers,'' Bell said.

``I'm here to build their self-esteem. I'm here for them to have fun. That's what this program is all about,'' Ellery said.

Karen Maeshiro, [phone]

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Mariposa School's Appalachian clog dancers perform a routine to the tune of ``Proud To Be an American.''

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer