Dance is the one constant that has stayed with me throughout my life. I started as a young girl, in pink tutus and ballerina slippers, and followed through to pursue a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University in 2016. While studying dance, I received a minor in Political Science, which was partially completed through a study abroad program in Istanbul, Turkey in 2014. This is where I became acquainted with a new passion - travel! I didn't really see dance and travel mixing together until I was introduced to Movement Exchange, when I participated in my first exchange in Panama City, Panama in May 2016. I felt so unbelievably grateful to combine my two passions, but it was also where I developed a passion for giving back. It was always a goal of mine to be a professional dancer, traveling the world from stage to stage, but it has recently occurred to me that I would much rather travel and serve through teaching dance. Since graduating from WMU's Movement Exchange chapter, I have stayed involved in the organization by attending the annual national retreat in Bloomington, IN, and starting the first Move-Ex Alumni Hub in Chicago. I want to further my involvement by attending Move-Ex's first trip to BRAZIL in July 2016 to serve their under privileged youth and spread the gift of dance. Your donation to this cause will not only support my desire to travel and experience new cultures, you will be supporting year round dance classes by local instructors in Brazil. Please consider supporting both myself and, more importantly, the children! ANY amount is so appreciated.