DARBY'S DANCERS NEWSLETTER LOVE YOUR MELON! Our fundraiser selling hats that included the adorable DD logo on them raised $3600! They were such a hit that we decided we will sell them every Christmas but we will be changing the color and design each year. If you bought a hat, you have purchased the 2107 edition. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard selling them and special kudos Darby s Dancers at Liberty Dance Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin rocking their Love Your Melon hats 1
to Dawn Turner in Maple Grove, MN who did the ordering and distribution. We are so proud of the various studios for jumping in there and helping us. Our combined efforts paid off. We very much want the studios to be in touch with each other, sharing thoughts, ideas, successes and ways to grow. Darby s Dancers is more than an individual chapter providing services. We are a family and we hope that one day we will be able to have our own DD convention and training opportunity. Stay tuned for some training that might be available this summer toward the end of June. Dancer of the Month Our dancer of the month for January is Jonny Lindgren who dances at The Dance Complex in Maple Grove, MN. Johnny is 14 years old and in the 8th grade at Jackson Middle School in Champlin, MN. Jonny has twin brothers and a younger sister. His passion is Meet Jonny from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Looking good, Jonny, in your new DD hat! theater. He has been an active participant in school theater productions as well as community productions. Jonny loves the stage and the spotlight! He also enjoys reading, listening to music and meeting new people. His favorite part about being a Darby s Dancer is the opportunity to meet new friends and hang out with the coaches. He really enjoys all the I want to wear my ankle people involved and likes the exercise braces today so I can be like too! Though Jonny has Cerebral Palsy the other girls in my dance class and a shunt in his head which has required 15 or more surgeries, Jonny ~ Darby Jones 2
maintains a positive upbeat attitude toward everything he attempts and displays a constant loving and amiable spirit toward everyone he comes into contact with. Congratulations Jonny! We love having you as a Darby s Dancer!!! Volunteer of the Month Our volunteer of the month is Jonny s coach at The Dance Complex, Karli Turner. Karli is 13 years old and lives in Maple Grove, MN. She is in the 8th grade at Maple Grove Middle School and is a straight A student. Karli is a second year coach, a five year competitive dancer and she loves and excels in ballet. When asked what means most to her regarding Darby s Dancers, she answered, I really like being able to help people and volunteer while still having fun. It makes my day when I see everyone filled with joy and how happy they look dancing their hearts out. I always look forward to going into class and it s my favorite part of the week!!. We all owe Karli Turner a great big thank you. Darby and Karli were friends when the Turners lived in Alabama. Karli was a dancer in AL and when she moved to Maple Grove, Karli continued her dancing career. After Darby died, Karli s mom, Dawn, approached the owner of Karli s new dance studio about starting a Darby s Dancers program and that is where it all started. If Karli had 3
not been a dancer, we wouldn t have had the connection with a studio to take that initial step. Thank you Karli Turner for your major contribution to our program, for being a volunteer, for being Darby s friend and for being a special girl in my life! Studio of the Month Pictured are more students from Liberty Dance Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Kate Moody and her Dad, Mike Theisen met me in Palm Springs last year and signed up their studio to have a Darby s Dancers program. In a very short time, they opened their doors to these wonderful students and their families. Mr. Mike is a real go getter when it comes to fundraising and has done a terrific job. We all need a Mr. Mike in our lives! He successfully received a grant from the United Performing Arts Fund in Milwaukee and obtained funds from other local business and individual contributions. I feel sure that Mike would be happy to help any of you who might need some advise in knowing how to contact like organizations in your area. His 40+ years of experience in marketing and sales makes him a very valuable asset to Liberty s programs. Kate has been learning dance for 33 years and continues to educate herself all she can in dance, business and technique. She is the Artistic Director and owner of Liberty Dance 4
Center, a dream come true for her in 2008. Kate s sister, Kelsey is a special education professional so she has been able to offer insight into the children and how to handle them in a way that is beneficial to their development and to ensure they all have a good time in their Darby s Dancers class. It s all in the family in Waukesha!!! Friends and Family in Love your Melon Hats 5