Thank You KidSport KW

Thank You KidSport KW for supporting my dream.

This fall I am continuing with more ballet training and loving it!!! I am now dancing in two levels of ballet and in the large ballet line (20 kids aged 9-16years).

I would like to encourage other children to follow their dreams and overcome any barriers in their way.

Below is my story and how KidSport KW Helped me achieve my ballet dream.

Since the age of two, all she could think about was ballet. Taking mother-daughter classes filled Leela’s early childhood years – with typical seasonal recitals, more progressive training and countless hours practicing with her big sister devoted to this classical art.

But it wasn’t all pink leotards and tutus for Leela. These early days fueled her desire to become a trained ballerina with intensity unknown for a child of such a young age. From learning basic barre, pointe and floor technique to developing the strength and flexibility needed for more advanced ballet classes, Leela’s dream of training with the National Ballet of Canada some day had laser focus . . . and the need for more hours of training in her future.

Unfortunately, Leela’s desire to take more ballet classes did not align with her mother’s monthly budget. Leela was undeterred - continuing to work hard in ballet and pay for ballet exams using gift money from holidays and birthdays.

Remember that laser focus? Leela’s dream would happen and she would make it so – raising any money needed by walking dogs, babysitting and selling baked goods amongst other activities.

More ballet classes followed and Leela mastered her ballet technique – from rigorous barre, repertoire, and floor work.

Then the opportunity of a lifetime came – an open call for the National Ballet of Canada’s Summer School program. Supported by the director of her ballet school, Leela auditioned. Similar auditions were held in every major city across Canada with hopeful ballet enthusiasts represented in all age groups.

After two days of auditioning, Leela triumphed as one of the ballerinas chosen to attend the prestigious summer ballet program! This incredible achievement would also present Leela with an opportunity to audition for the full time professional ballet program that would run through the school year. What an opportunity!

But how could they afford to pay for the $5K summer program? Even with Leela’s enterprising businesses of shoveling driveways, scooping poop, doing yard work and cleaning houses, the program entrance fee was still many dollars away from achieving.

Enter KidSport KW and an abundance of community support to make it happen – from Leela’s Grade 3 teacher Mr. Helmink to her school’s outreach program to an owner of a local sports store.

As Leela’s mother told me, “when adults connect and communicate about our kids, great things can happen”. Seeing the flyer for KidSport KW while she was trading in sports equipment along with the encouragement of Mr. Helmink and the guidance of the outreach program, Leela’s mother learned how her community could help make this dream come true.

Application for a KidSport KW grant to partially support Leela’s attendance at the National Ballet of Canada’s Summer Program was approved in June. Leela successfully completed the summer program and had a blast! With roommates from California and Newfoundland, this experience has impassioned Leela even more to continue training and improve her technique.

While she did not get selected for the year-long, in-residence program, Leela is undeterred. That laser-focus is still fierce and full of fire – so keep an eye out and don’t be surprised if you see the next Karen Kain in our Miss Leela!

You can read more about Leela’s adventures through her blog and her very own website Leela's Ballet Dream. We should all have the most amazing spirit that is Leela!