But I could dance!

My 8th grade students recently performed THE AUDACITY OF HOPE at our Mothers day forum. Donna Flagg, our keynote speaker spoke to our mothers about her journey from being a truant, failing student, unable to read - to an author and entrepreneur. I thought it was going to be the typical "I thought I was a failure but look what I've done with my life" speech. My students and I were flawed when she said "I felt like I couldn't do anything - But, I could dance!" When she said it she looked right at my girls and they were glued to her every word after that. Her passion for dance helped her realize that she was really good at something. Her gift of dance helped her get into college. She eventually learned she had a learning disability. I don't call it a disability but a differbility - because she learns differently. Dealing with her differbility helped her get her life on track. She worked her way into corporate America and now has her own company. The Krysalis Group - a consulting firm that provides training programs, marketing expertise and strategic solutions for business. My four dancers were mesmerized. We've had athletes, inmates, politicians, educators, etc... come and speak at our school but a dancer - wow! Donna spoke of how she used her passion for dance to fuel her desire to succeed. To make matters even better, 3 of my dancers found out that day that they had been accepted into Newark's Arts High School for dance. I'm so thankful they were there that day to hear Donna. Whether they become professional dancers or not they know for sure that they can and will succeed - why? because for the rest of their life no matter what they do they'll be able to say "But I could dance!