Regina Allemand’s getting set to dance, dance, dance for a good cause – as are many others who plan to be at Hahnville High’s Tiger Stadium next week.
On Feb. 20, Allemand will be part of a “flash mob” raising money for the American Heart Association, one part of the Luling Realtor’s Woman of Impact campaign to raise money and spread awareness about heart health awareness.
A flash mob consists of a group of people who gather in a public place for a short time to perform a prearranged action, then quickly disperse. In this case, Allemand has shared an instructional dance video on social media for people to learn the steps and join together to perform the dance at HHS. Admission will be $5, with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association.
The event is set to begin at 6 p.m. and participants must wear red.
“With a flash mob, people get a video of a dance and it’s usually at a place like a mall, a park, where everyone comes together, the music starts and everyone does the dance,” Allemand said. “This is more of a controlled flash mob, since we’ve got a specific time and date. It’s not like I’m going to call everyone and just say ‘let’s go.’
“But it should be a lot of fun. People will be coming at this from different levels of knowing how to do it.”
Allemand added with a laugh that everyone’s interpretation of the dance will be “very interesting.”
For the dance itself, Allemand enlisted the help of Hahnville High senior Ashlyn Rogers, team captain of the school’s Hi-Steppers dance team. Rogers choreographed the dance and performed it for the instructional video.
“It’s something everyone can do, a child as well as a grandmother,” Allemand said. “We’re going to have a little montage of songs, all heart songs – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, My Selfish Heart … the routine will last about three and a half minutes.”
There will be another dance at the end of it all – but that will be a bit of a surprise.
“I can’t tell you what it is,” Allemand said. “But it’ll be a group activity.”
Allemand said she’s felt touched by the stories of several community neighbors who have pledged to participate. Shelby Hooper is part of Allemand’s “Impact Team” for the campaign and will be on the field next week to promote the cause. Hooper’s mother Marsha Barr suffered a heart attack and passed away in 2005 when Hooper was in high school.
“Heart health in general has something that’s been very important to me, mainly because my mom’s heart attack could have been prevented if she had sought out the medical care, the heart scans, the checks, all of those things. That cause means a lot to me,” Hooper said.
“People should use the resources out there and perform the needed tests through their doctors. Being proactive in the long run could really end up helping you out.”
Andrell Lockett, owner of LEGACY Venue in Luling, has made a considerable impact for the campaign as well, recruiting friends who with Lockett are telling their stories of how heart disease has impacted their lives.
And Karen Sauzer and her three daughters – who were all Hi-Steppers at Hahnville – will be on the field together to do the dance. The cause also speaks to Sauzer and her family, who have been impacted by heart disease as well.
“Heart issues touch so many lives. Everybody has their why,” Allemand said. “We’re dedicating this campaign for those people who have been impacted, living or deceased … whatever awareness and education we can spread during this time, that’s the goal.”
Promoting CPR awareness is something Allemand believes she is meant to do and is here to do.
Allemand went into cardiac arrest in 2021, and her husband Norbert’s knowledge of CPR ultimately saved her life. Her story is what inspired the AHA to reach out and nominate her as one of 10 Women of Impact in the New Orleans-area.
Each year, the AHA selects a group of individuals from communities across the country to participate in a nine-week competition. Ultimately, the hope is to inspire others to take action and save lives. Each team will raise funds for the AHA cause. The nominee that raises the most funds and drives the greatest local impact will be named the Local Woman of Impact winner.
Allemand will also be holding a “Stayin’ Alive” party on March 8 at Holy Family Parish Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The potluck event will also raise funds for the American Heart Association.
