Kick-off rally for Happenings4Kids

Three kids from LaClede Elementary School didn't win the "hap rap" competition to provide a musical theme for a new after-school activities program. But, the KMS trio were a hit at the kickoff rally for the Happenings4Youth website.

KMS - Kayla Thompson, Shanice Sanders and Malikah Johnson

The KMS rappers are 4th graders at the St. Louis city school. Among the youngest entries, they lost out to more-veteran high school-age rappers. But, they had lots of fun.

The Hot Squad - (l to r) Clayton Shaw, Josh Ryan and Michael Hayes

The overall winners were The Hot Squad, a high-school trio made up of Clayton Shaw, Josh Ryan and Michael Hayes. The boys won a $500 first prize. Their music will become a part of the marketing for the H4Y website.

The October 20 rally at the St. Louis Science Center included the "hap rap" finals competition, other stage entertainment, food and displays by after-school programs. More than 400 kids attended.

The H4Y website included listings for more than 100 organizations in metro St. Louis that offer after-school programs for kids. The address is: www.happenings4youth.org

There's also a printed St. Louis Region Happenings4Youth resource guide. To obtain one, call St. Louis 4 Kids at (314) 241-001 or go to www.stlouis4kids.org.

In the "hap rap" theme competition, the LaClede kids didn't make the finals. But, they impressed the preliminary judges. They and two other younger groups got to perform also on stage at the kickoff rally.

For Kayla Thompson, Malikah Johnson and Shanice Sanders, the chance to perform was a rare musical experience. They made up their own lyrics and got a chance to test their skills against older kids who had more elaborate presentations.

The KMS girls take music classes at LaClede Elementary from Ms. Annette Silver-Betts. She received an invitation to enter a team in the "hap rap" competition.

The girls decided to join forces and form their KMS team. (The name is the first initial of each of the girls' names.)

Their theme line for their entry was "What 'Chu Wanna' Be?" (For the complete lyrics, see sidebar below.)

The girls used music class time as well as gym time to practice their original rap music.

Ms. Silver-Betts said the competition let them mix rap music with "clean verse." All organizations on the Happenings4Youth website fit a "drug-free" model.

The three young LaClede girls have a variety of musical background.

Nine-year-old Kayla is in the LaClede choir and also plays drums, shakers and bells. Nine-year-old Shanice has been in her church's youth choir for two years. And 9-year-old Malikah plays the piano and flute as well as singing in the school choir.

Shanice said she'd like to be a singer when she grows up. But, Kayla is looking to become a teacher while Malikah said she'd like to own a beauty salon.

All three of the girls say their favorite music is rap. But, Malikah said she likes a little R&B and Alicia Keyes mixed in.

Ms. Jamala Dodson, who heads St. Louis 4 Kids opened the kickoff rally. She said the H4Y website will help local kids "find out more about what's to do after school."

About 20 of the listed organizations had booths at the kick-off rally.

Among those groups were the Circus Day Foundation that helps kids learn circus performance routines and COCA's urban arts department. The Challenger Learning Center was there with information about its space programs.

The Happenings4Youth listings include large institutions such as the Science Center and the St. Louis Public Library.

But, there are smaller, specialized groups also. For instance, the Mundhi African Cultural Arts group had a booth. It helps kids learn African culture with music, song and dance.

The Happenings4Youth website has the organizations divided into geographic areas. That way, kids can find interesting organizations that are near to their homes.

(To find more about Happenings4Youth, visit Resource section from the top of the YSL.com home page.)