CLARET HATAW BRINGS HOME THE GLORY
by Rei Andrew P. Prieto, Isagani B. Tayag, and Kristian B. dela Cruz, Claret School of QC

Christmas came early for Claret's HATAW as it successfully proved its elite status in two back-to-back prestigious dance competitions held in November. This dance troupe took 1st Runner-Up in the Skechers Streetdance Battle 7 at the Araneta Coliseum on November 12, 2011. A week later, it won the Championship in Maximum Groovity's first Major Impact at the Ateneo Henry Lee Irwin Theater on November 20, 2011.

2011 marks the 7th year for Maximum Groovity, which is billed as “The Ultimate Interschool Dance Showdown” among college-based groups. This year, in addition to its heated collegiate battle, it has expanded its competition for the first time to high school-based groups and other dance groups in what is known as Major Impact: Maximum Groovity's High School and Open Edition.

On the other hand, the Skechers Streetdance Battle is likewise in its 7th year, and is known as the country's biggest streetdance competition, taking almost a hundred dance crews from high schools and colleges nationwide in an all-out showdown for streetdance supremacy. Claret's HATAW won the High School Category of Skechers Streetdance Battle 5 in 2009 and has since remained in the competition's top 3 rankings of the best dance varsities in the country. In this first year of Maximum Groovity's High School competition, HATAW beat out 8 other dance teams for the championship.

HATAW was founded in 2006 and is managed by Claret alumnus Jim Andrew Ferrer. Current members include Rei Andrew Prieto (President), John Keeno Guevarra (Internal Vice-President), and John Daniel Alday (External Vice-President). The 16 members of the team attribute part of their success to their rigorous daily training under the supervision of their coach, Maria Theresa Angelica S. Arda. Ms. Arda, who is a member of the dance groups UP Street and The Crew, a coach of the A-Team, and an alumna of the University of the Philippines, has been with the team for the past 6 years. Training includes keeping members in shape, improving their strength and speed, and perfecting their stunts and routines.

Now in its 6th year, HATAW has acquired numerous achievements and honors for the school and Claret School is proud to call them Claretians.