MySpace a place for friends

Around a year and a half ago, Steven Tran and Tuan Tran started to experiment with a new form of art called break dancing otherwise known as ‘Bboying’. In the beginning they were in it just fun, but as they became more and more devoted, they realized that what they were doing involves much more than fun.

One day when they were waiting for their rides, they started to dance to the beats flowing from their iPods. Soon other students were crowding around to see what all the commotion was about. As the two of them were breaking to the music, the gathering crowd was oblivious to them. As the music began to die, they finished their routine with their own special signature move. Then for the first time they heard a very familiar yet distinct sound, it was the sound of an applaud.

The news of this new ‘Bboying’ duo spreaded quickly throughout the temple. Students from both the Saturday religion school and the Sunday Vietnamese School knew of this. And many were eager to join.

A few months later, they formed an official Bboy crew known as the “Sloppy Stylez Krew.” Together our newly formed crew devoted all our time and determination into what was now our new passion. We began holding sessions to teach other students who were interested in breaking. Then we also started to film and edit the sessions into videos so we can share what we were doing to the world through the internet. Our works were greatly welcomed.

By the August of the second year even the headmaster nun knew of our rising crew. One day she asked us if we were interested in performing in the Moon Festival next month for the students and young children within the community. We were more than happy to accept such an offer.

Within the next month, we worked every chance we got, spending ten to twelve hours a week in the temple’s basement to perfect our routine for the upcoming show. There were times when we just wanted to call quits because the task seems impossible, but then we all remembered the promises we’ve made, and letting our fans down isn’t an option.

On the night of the performance, we were all quite nervous, but as the MC announced our crew, there was no backing out. We smiled as we executed the routine, there were times when we messed up but stopping wasn’t an option, so we had to simply recover and keep pushing until the end. As the last move was executed, the crowd had gone wild! They were cheering, applauding, yelling and whistling. Even though as a crew we didn’t get any extra compensation, just being able to hear the applause of the audience and to see the smiling faces of the students and young children, was enough to compensate for our hours of hard work, determination, and devotion.

In the end, we were exceptionally proud of what we had done. To learn a new move took determination. To put a show or session together took devotion. But when looked at from a different point of view, it’s our passion that drives us and makes us the strong person that we really are. Even today, Sloppy Stylez Krew is growing and improving.

Sadly , during the summer of 2008, our dedicated member Ken Tran passed away. He was a dedicated and passionate member of our crew. His goals were set, and he was determined. However, we as a crew have let him down. During the time that he needed us most, we were not there to back him up. On that tragic day, he died a painful death. Not only from the external wounds, but from knowing that the people he called brothers were no where to be found when he was clinging on to what's left of his life. To this very day, SSK still holds deep remorse. Our motivation and determination now comes from this wonderful individual. We will stride farther and push past our limits and make you proud by rising up one day. Rest in peace bro. You will always have a place deep down in our hearts.