Kellisa- The Dancer

 Kellisa became a dancer 14 years ago this month. To be honest, we knew Kellisa loved music and swinging her arms and shaking her head around, but we never thought Kellisa would take dance lessons. That all changed when she came home from school early in her 3rd Grade Year with a dance flyer given to her by long time friend, Lindsay. Switzerland Dance School, a local business, was starting a special needs class. We didn't hesitate, Kellisa was signed up the same day and she spent years dancing with her peers and able body girls of all ages. The pinnacle of her dance career would be the annual dance recitals held at the Lazzara Performance Hall on the campus of the University of North Florida. 

Sadly, Kellisa's friend Lindsay who opened the door to Kellisa's dance career gained her angel wings far too early. We will never forget Lindsay and the friendship she shared with Kellisa. 

First day of dance (August 2007) 

2011 Dance Recital

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Winter Ball

Oakmont High School

Roseville, CA

February 4, 2018

Kellisa attended the Winter Ball at her school on a beautiful Saturday evening. Kellisa is always excited to attend dances and this night was no different. She is treated like a queen once we arrive at the school. Kellisa is escorted not to the front of the line, but through a side door so she can skip the ticket line all together and get right out on the dance floor. Kellisa is known as "KK" at school and I'm always amazed by all the adults and students that get excited when they she her and call out, "It's KK!"

As soon as we entered the gym, KK took off wheeling as fast as she could toward the dance floor as she made her way through the sea of jumping kids to setup as close to the speakers as possible. It doesn't take long for me to lose sight of KK.

Every time I could see her, she was dancing with able bodied students. She was usually surrounded by 6-10 kids. At one time, I counted at least 7 boys dancing with her. KK had a huge smile plastered to her face the entire night. I love that she is so included with all the other kids. It made me so proud to watch KK out on her own and accepted. Many kids even bent over to talk to her at her level. 

TGIF Dance and Nighttime Baseball

September 30, 2011

 

After school and before baseball, Kellisa attended a TGIF Dance at her school and had a blast:



Kellisa went straight from the dance to her baseball game. Kellisa had to change into her Marlins uniform in the back of the van. The city installed lights over the summer and this was the first night game ever for the Jacksonville Miracle League. Still pumped from the earlier dancing, Kellisa wheeled around the bases in record time on her second at bat of the evening. This earned Kellisa one of the two MVP awards after the game.