The music hits.

Kids go wild.

It wasn’t a celebrity causing the stir at Krug elementary that day. However, the 12 members of the Triple Threat Hip Hop Dance crew were nothing short of celebrity-status as they performed their hearts out in front of about 200 of their peers.

For a few minutes, the dancing dozen held the students’ attention through an array of impressive hip hop dance moves. Like trained professionals, they sharply hit their moves, perfectly in sync.

Yet, they aren’t a famous dance group — not yet anyway. Some 8 weeks before their final performance, the crew was relatively new to hip hop dance. Through the Triple Threat program, they learned to shed their shells and give it their all.

How did they do it? Watch this video to find out!

Ten of East Aurora’s hardest working young student-athletes are ready to Hoop It Up. After a February tryout, 10 3rd and 4th grade basketball players were selected to a 8-week basketball program that focuses on teamwork, drills and skills. The team meets Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Fred Rodgers Community Center gym.

The team will be squaring off against local AAU teams this summer to put their skills on display. The problem is — we don’t have a name yet! If you have any suggestions, send them to Athletic Director Troy Pascley at troy@triplethreat.org

The District 131/Triple Threat event featured 11 of the district’s schools — what an awesome turnout!

Thanks to all our awesome sponsors like Nike, Powerbar and Medallion Press. Also, a big shout-out to Miss Illinois Whitney Thorpe Klinsky as well as Miss River Kaitlyn Millner and Miss Cook County April Strong for encouraging the cheerleaders all day.

For more photos, check out the complete albums here and here.

Try another Nike event two days later, complete with a star-studded cast and a fundraiser for Triple Threat! We’re blessed at Triple Threat to have such wonderful partners and friends at Nike. In late February, they held a Black History Month event at SuccezZ, an upscale shoe shop and clothing store owned by former NBA standout Bobby Simmons. The event featured nationally known writer and activist Scoop Jackson, General Manager of Nike’s Central Territory Reg Hamlett, renowned spoken word artist, activist and musician Malik Yusef, and Simmons.

At the event, Nike highlighted the accomplishments of African-American athletes who have helped shape the history of sport. On top of that, they introduced new, limited edition shoes that were auctioned off on site. Nike is giving the proceeds of the auction — along with artwork that was auctioned-off — to Triple Threat.

Our executive director, Caleb Luper, also spoke to the crowd of more than 100 people about Triple Threat and the impact Nike’s partnership leaves in the communities we serve.

All in all, an awesome event. Can’t thank our Nike peeps enough!

A group of Nike employees and Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett showed what it takes. During the Nike/Triple Threat ‘Call to Greatness’ event, more than 30 corporate Nike employees and retail workers got their service on. Not only did the Nike crew fix up and paint Triple Threat’s future Chicago location, but they also spent time mentoring Aurora and Chicago youth during the Black History Month event.

Their day of service epitomized what it is to be great — do what you love while helping others. After getting elbows and jeans covered in white paint, the Nike team then honed their artistic, academic and athletic skills to provide guidance for under-resourced youth. Whether it was basketball, spoken word or art, youth and Nike crew took the afternoon to teach and learn from each other.

Our staff was so encouraged and inspired by your great attitudes, high energy and willingness to jump in where needed to make the event run smoothly. Not only was it Nike’s contribution of time and energy, but their example as positive role models and servants definitely impacted the kids. “Nike” now represents not just a great brand, product or organization to 30 youth, but involved people with faces, names, smiles and passion– friends.

Check out more photos here!

Talk about a barn-burner!

A clutch 3-pointer by Hermes Elementary late in the fourth-quarter helped the Panthers secure a back-and-forth victory over Bardwell Elementary in the annual District 131 5th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament. The 16th rendition of the tournament, which is put on by Triple Threat Mentoring and District 131, featured back-and-forth battles all day, capped off by a championship game for the ages.

Congratulations to all the players, coaches and fans for providing such an awesome day of basketball action. Triple Threat would also like to thank all the volunteers for helping make this event a great success!

Toys for Tots donated about 170 toys for children at Jericho. Also, The Orchard Church donated photo frames for families who had their photos taken in an earlier Triple Threat event. Thanks to all sponsors and volunteers for making such an incredible time possible!

For more about the Edge, check out their Web site.

Well, make that 12 noticeable additions. For the first time, an All-Star cheerleading squad will take the floor during the yearly cheer competition. The All-Star team will be made up of one cheerleader from 12 different schools in the district. The group will practice for five weeks before putting on a show at the Feb. 26 competition.

So we teamed up with local businesses and more than a dozen volunteers to shoot family photos for Jericho residents while sprinkling in plenty of music, food, fun and holiday cheer. More than 200 Jericho residents showed up earlier this month to have professional family portraits taken in the community center. What an awesome time!

Thanks so much to Calumet Photographic, Walgreens, Subway, Jimmy John’s and Jewel-Osco for their support. Also a big shout-out to Donnell, Monica, The Edge church, volunteer photographers, AHA management and everyone else who helped out along the way!

Dozens of girls from five different schools cheered and dance until their hearts out on Saturday at a one-day cheer and dance clinic. Miss Chicago April Strong and her team led the camp, which was attended by girls from five different District 131 schools — Brady, Krug, Allen, Beaupre and Hermes.

For more photos, make sure to check out our Facebook page.