Many NovatoSpirit kids do more than participate in their athletic activities they strive to do better. This summer I received calls from three proud mothers who told me how their daughters worked to improve their physical abilities, health and impact on other children. One 10-year-old girl spent the summer selling lemonade and babysitting to raise enough money to dance more often.
“I know my daughter already has a dance scholarship with you at Love 2 Dance, but she wanted to add one more dance class so she could improve,” said her mother. “She told me that she wants to dance like the older girls, who are more advanced. She asked me and my husband if she could give up her birthday party this summer and her presents, if we could help her pay for an extra class, since she didn’t make enough money this summer on her own. We said yes, and she is so happy to be able to dance more.”
Another young girl, who struggles with scoliosis and underdeveloped motor skills, spent the summer practicing dance, so that she could keep up with the other girls.
“She is getting more confident, and I don’t hear the ‘I can’t, 'those kids are much better than me’ or the ‘I don’t want to do it,’” said her mother. “She still needs to work a lot in order to get herself physically stronger, but she is giving the 100 percent in everything she is doing now.”
The third girl, a teen who has been with NovatoSpirit for five years, has taken on a leadership role at the dance studio. “Before coming to NovatoSpirit, my daughter had very little self-confidence, but your program has really helped her,” said her mother. “Now, she’s taking on more responsibility at dance. This summer, she served as a teacher’s assistant, helping the younger dancers. She feels really good about her body and herself.”
The generosity of the Novato community has inspired these girls to live their lives to the fullest. Thank you for giving NovatoSpirit kids a gift they can grow into.
For more information about NovatoSpirit’s athletic scholarships for impoverished youth in Novato, please go to www.novatospirit.org.
