An SOS in Training at 47 years old, Virginia was born in Argentina and came to the U.S. at 37 years old and is a teacher. She had no dance classes before taking the Zumba Gold class and joining the SOS Dance Crew, though she participated in chorus for many years in Argentina. In the past, she did not like any kind of exercise, but through Susie’s class, has learned to enjoy it! She enjoys doing Zumba! Virginia says, “It brings me joy to be able to move my body, and I am thankful for this opportunity.”

Beverly is the mother of 2 children and 2 grandchildren. She retired 5 years ago from a career in education and technology. She had never had any dance in her past, but followed the urging of her husband Jerry and Susie’s encouragement to give Zumba Gold a try. She has found it build up her endurance and balance and says, “It’s been a wonderful group to know and I love that the music is current…it has helped to keep me updated with my grandchildren and children!” Despite neck and back issues, she brings her enthusiasm and energy to every class!

Jerry was born in San Francisco, California and has lived in a variety of places across the U.S. He has 5 children and 3 grandchildren. He was a lively and entertaining innkeeper of a bed and breakfast for many years and retired 4 years ago. Jerry was doing exercise classes when he decided to try Zumba Gold because “this looked like a lot more fun.” He hasn’t had any dance classes and has back issues. “Weak back, got it about a week back,” says our class Master Punster! Jerry says that dance has “made life more fun.” He’s more flexible, lost weight, and has gained strength. AND he has “met some really awesome people!” He kindly states that: “Susie is very inspirational and will make us all famous!” Susie says, “In our OWN minds! “

Carol is 81 years old in 2016! She was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Culver City, California. She had a career as an Administrative Assistant and retired 16 years ago. She does not have any children.  Carol joined a Silver Sneakers class in 2007. About 6 years ago, she was introduced to Zumba Gold classes and found that it was fun! As a child, she took violin lessons for 1 year and piano for 2, but was not good at either. She had no dance classes. In Zumba Gold, she has met “a lot of really nice people” and appreciated that “Susie is always smiling, and has a very positive attitude. This rubs off on all her students.” Due to osteoarthritis, Carol had her right wrist joint replaced 24 years ago and had a complete right knee replacement 10 years ago. “Dancing keeps me moving and limber!”

Saeru wants everyone to know: “We come from all different backgrounds and different ages (65 to 89 years old), but we have one mind and that is we like to show the world what we can do and we can be happy.”

Debbie is the most senior of the SOS Dance Crew at 89, turning 90 in July, 2016!
She has six children, 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Debbie taught music to young children in kindergarten through 2nd grade in the public school system. She retired about 25 years ago. After retirement, she was a piano teacher for about 15 years, teaching in private homes. She joined every class she could in her local gym, Custom Bodies Fitness in Irvine. One was the Zumba class. She did take modern dance and ballet classes as an adult. She later had both hips replaced, “and I still dance.”
Debbie says, “Dancing makes me happy. I love to dance! And I have made friends in the SOS Dance Crew. This is an important outlet for me. We have a truly talented and inspiring teacher, Susie.”

Gayle will be 66 years old in 2016.  From ages 5 to 9, she was a majorette for the United States Marine Corp Marching Band.  In high school she was in the drill team and then a majorette for the school marching band.  For a few years after high school, Gayle  continued to march with the San Clemente City Band.  Her 32-year career in the medical field came to an abrupt end when she sustained severe injuries in an auto accident.  A traumatic brain injury, a broken back requiring rods & screws, and a fused neck are the more difficult injuries she endures.  Gayle says: “Dancing with the SOS Dance Crew has helped me to regain my strength and flexibility, and has restored my happy outlook on life.”

Len, at 67 years old, is one of the newest SOS Dance Crew members. He has two children. He worked for the County of Orange as a Records Management Analyst for 31 years, retiring 11 years ago in 2005. However, in 2012 he started a very rewarding and very unusual second career as a professional art model (aka “figure model”) for numerous colleges, universities and art academies. He has also worked for animation studios, video game companies and public art classes. Len has worked for such esteemed companies as Disney Animation Studios, Paramount Pictures Animation and the World of Warcraft company Blizzard Entertainment. “Dancing has helped me improve my art modeling and increase my self-confidence. Prior to taking Susie’s Zumba class, I had never experienced the joy and liberating feeling of dance. My goal is to get every step and movement right. I still have a lot to learn.”

M.P.(Mei-Pu) is from Taiwan (Formosa) and came to the USA in 1969. He is 79, turning 80 in November 2016! He had a career as an Ob/Gyn doctor in Pennsylvania and Baltimore, retiring in 2003 after having a stent placed in his heart. He has 3 boys and 5 grandchildren thus far.  He has no prior dance experience but now feels that dance “has helped very much.” And, he says, “I enjoy it!” He plans to continue to work hard and Dance!

Letty was born in the Philippines. When she was young in grade school, her father wanted her to be a lawyer but God has another plan for her. Instead, she majored in Home Economics and became a teacher in public high school.  . When she came to the United States, Letty became and still is a licensed a real estate agent. She sold real estate properties and helped manage a small company.
Letty disagrees with the popular belief that one should act their age and stay home when older. Letty goes to the gym for dancing and other forms of fitness activities, although. she learned after so many years,  that walking is not a good exercise for her backbone.  Letty says: “We need to move and exercise every day so we can grow old without aging. I love music, and I use it to exercise. I enjoy doing it very much. I go to Zumba class. Dancing is one form of exercise that I enjoy doing to stay young and fit; and I hope I help to inspire others to do the same.”