BASSETEERE, St. Kitts - Anyone who knows me well knows that I love to dance. However, it took a long time for me to discover and nurture this art form since I struggled with low self-esteem and confidence during my adolescent years.
I grew up in the closely-knit villages of Newtown, Basseterre and Green Valley, Cayon in the Caribbean island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. I came from a family of little means which meant I could not afford to do certain types of extracurricular activities that interested me such as taking dance lessons.
I deeply yearned for the opportunity to grow, to do more, to feel wanted, and to know within myself that I mattered. At the age of 17, I found comfort in dance when I decided on a whim to tryout for the dance ensemble at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts.
The art form of dance provided me a new outlook on life. For me, dance became a form of self-expression. When I danced, I felt the weight of the world disappear. I felt joy. I felt happiness, and I felt free to be myself. Dance helped me develop healthy habits, self-esteem, and confidence.
When the opportunity was granted to me to represent my home country in the prestigious 2014 Miss International Pageant, I jumped at the chance to promote my platform, "Dance your Dance, Improving Lives through Dance Therapy." Through discussions with a friend, who is a Board Certified dance therapist, I learned about the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and what dance therapy is all about. I learned that all the emotional and physical issues I struggled with can and are treated by amazing and hard working dance therapists every day.
I knew almost instantly that I wanted to work with this organization but did not know what the response would be like and how long the process would take. My research revealed that the ADTA is the only U.S. organization dedicated to the profession of dance/movement therapy. Given such a large organization, I did not know where to start but since time was of the essence, I first began by sending an email to the Public Relations officer.
However, my level of excitement did not allow me to simply stop there. I proceeded to email any and everyone whose email I could get a hold of, from the President of ADTA Dr. Sherry Goodill to Philadelphia Chapter President, Dr. Angela Tatum Fairfax.
I was welcomed as an official advocate for the organization having undergone several training sessions and interviews with senior board members of the ADTA. Working with the ADTA has been a truly rewarding experience and I am unreservedly thankful to all dance therapists near and far for their support, guidance and encouragement.
Through this medium, I extend a HUGE and heartfelt thank you to several of you who took time out of your schedules to conduct one on one interview sessions with me and allowed me a mere glimpse into the phenomenal work you do to change lives for the better every day.
My biggest and most notable community event was the Caribbean Style and Culture Dance Showcase held in Philadelphia, PA on June 27th, 2014. It was an event I was intricately involved in as I planned it from beginning to end. The goal of the event was to raise funds and awareness for my platform.
I could not have had the event without the support of the ADTA and its members. The keynote speaker, Dr. Angela Tatum Fairfax came equipped with ample information about the organization which was distributed to the attendees and she provided a live demonstration of a dance therapy session much to the delight of the attendees.
Throughout my journey I worked and volunteered with a number of organizations, many of who became sponsors for me. They are the St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy and Staff, Sandy Point Benevolent Society, Green Valley Global Organization, and Kittitian and Nevisian Association (KANA). I therefore am humbled by their support and thank them all tremendously for believing in me.
The support of the ADTA allowed me to confidently speak on behalf of the organization and the profession of Dance Therapy at the Miss International pageant on August 1st and 2nd, 2014, in Jacksonville, FL. Having successfully advanced to the Top 15 of the competition, I was able to have yet another opportunity to speak with a wider cross section of individuals on the benefits of dance therapy in treating chronic illnesses such as anxiety and depression while building self-esteem. All of these tremendous experiences have allowed me to develop a bigger love and understanding of the field of dance therapy. I am duly committed to continue my advocacy for the growth of the profession and for my continued advancement.
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