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June 4, 2010
Dance against bullies
Canadian student wins a national competition.
RHONDA SPIVAK
Fourteen-year-old Sara Thompson has won first place overall in the junior soloist category of the Canadian National Dance Competition. The Gray Academy of Jewish Education student won for her lyrical dance entitled “Dear Diary,” which is about the damaging effect of teenage bullying.
As a result of her victory last month, Thompson, who was also awarded an elite gold medal, has been chosen to represent Canada as one of only three soloists in the junior division at the World International Dance Organization Jazz Championships in Poland in December 2010.
In addition to her other achievements, Thompson also placed first in the ballet, jazz and lyrical solo division in the junior category.
Thompson was surprised by her big win. “When I heard my name called it was like I was in a dream,” she said. “I was so surprised and happy! There were so many accomplished dancers, so to be named as the first place overall was overwhelming to me. I didn’t expect that.”
Thompson, who has been dancing at the Shelley Shearer School of Dance since she was two years old, composed words about the effects of teenage bullying, recorded them and then performed her story through the medium of dance. Thompson’s trainer, Lindsay Nelko, conceptualized and choreographed the original work that Thompson performed.
The lyrics accompanying the dance are evocative and read, in part, “Do you know how it feels ... to want to talk to someone ... but, deep down, you know they want nothing to do with you....”
Thompson said it was important for her to confront the problem of teenage bullying through the medium of dance. “I wanted to do something meaningful that would let kids know that bullying can happen to anyone and they shouldn’t feel alone. Most of all, they should never be afraid to speak out and tell someone. It is so important that young people feel good about themselves because each person has something unique and special to offer.”
Thompson, who trains in ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical dance and musical theatre, began her competitive solo training at the age of 11.
Nelko said that working on Thompson’s latest creative endeavor was a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the damaging effects of bullying.
“Sara wrote a powerful story that I used as the basis for the dance. It was decided that spoken word alone would have a greater impact than any music or song would for this concept. The effect of the solo is that of peering into the soul and mind of a girl who has been bullied. The dance enabled us to highlight the emotional impact and we could see it resonating with everyone in the audience.”
Nelko added, “As hundreds of people watched the performance, you could hear a pin drop. Sara’s personal perspective on this project and her wonderful ability to portray and execute this piece is something special to behold. I feel privileged to have collaborated with Sara, and I hope the story resonates with students of all ages and opens their eyes to the effects of bullying. Our hope is to empower students to speak up and unite together against this devastating form of abuse.”
Thompson noted, “I have won first place awards in my age categories before and I won the Junior Lyrical Scholarship last year at the Manitoba Dance Festival, but this is the first time I have ever been awarded the overall soloist award at the Canadian national competition.”
Thompson is very excited about going to Poland to represent Canada in the upcoming world championships. “It is an incredible honor to be representing my country in an art that I love,” she said. “I have never been to Poland before, so I am very excited to see the country that my grandmother’s ancestors are from.... My mom and dad will come with me, as well as my coach and choreographer, Lindsay Nelko. They are very excited to come and watch me compete.”
Rhonda Spivak is a freelance writer and editor of the Winnipeg Jewish Review.
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