It feels like it’s been a long time since they graduated yet it also feels like it was just yesterday that our seniors, Ysabet Luciano and Brooke Kimet were last in the studio. Sniff, sniff … Thanksgiving break is just around the corner, and I have two more reasons why I am thankful – that’s when they first come home from being away.
First, Ysabet Luciano. She is graduating from the Luciano School of Home Studies and when she first walked into the studio 3 years ago this coming July, and after her first class decided this is all she wanted to do, I honestly thought to myself, maybe I should tell her to stop now because I had rarely seen anyone lack flexibility the way she did and at the age of 14, how much could she actually improve. Instead of shooting down her hopes, I told her honestly what she lacked and what she needed to work on and amazingly she did it. She would wake up early before school, stretch and strengthen, she would get to the studio early before class, stretch and strengthen, and she would stay after class, stretch and strengthen. If she couldn’t figure out a movement, we would work in between classes. I think I heard she even slept in her ballet shoes. I had never seen a more determined dancer in all my life. Her life scripture was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She has been my inspiration. What she has been able to accomplish up to today, has been nothing less than complete jaw-dropping amazement. It has led me to continue to stand firm in believing, if God has given you a passion to accomplish something, he will make a way for you to achieve it. Congratulations Ysabet, well done, thou good and faithful servant of this gift God has given you. I wish you all of God’s blessings in Nashville!
Last, but in no way least, Brooke Kimet is graduating from Villa Maria Academy and will be attending Duquesne University. So, I’ve known Brooke when she was even littler in stature than she is now and taught her back at Lake Erie Ballet. It’s hard to believe that I remember her as almost a shy little thing that would dance with her eyes constantly on the floor to an amazing actress, singer, dancer who you can hear exactly when she comes in the building and who’s developed into an amazing choreographer that tells stories through movement of the more distasteful of human behaviors. She was with me even before I opened my studio when she “helped paint” the doors behind the piano. I’ve appreciated her spirit of never leaving anyone out and making everyone feel wanted and accepted. I will miss her unmistakable presence but I have to say, one thing I won’t miss is her retelling of when I bit a dancer’s leg because they weren’t doing degagés sharp enough – wink. I love you, Brooke!
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