Relay For Life.... and other thoughts!

Before I start on the main topic of my post - Relay for Life - I have a few thoughts and thank you's I would like to share:


Wow....Another dance year is almost done.  Pysanka Festival will close the year for the majority of us, and then the Ensemble is off to the Ukraine to explore, learn, and experience the culture first hand.  This season was not without it's challenges, but we managed and thrived. We could not have accomplished everything we did this year, from the Christmas Concert, Zabava, Senior's Tour, Competition season, to Pryvit, without the support and hard work of the executive and volunteers.  I would like to personally thank all of you for your dedication and hard work, as this is what has enable me to keep my sanity through out this season.


Pryvit was a wonderful show and it was certainly nice to have it on the Grandstand and outside this year.  A big thanks to Barb Jardine, all the volunteers, the instructors, and the stars of the show, the dancers!  Your love and passion for dance is the reason for the hard work.


As we say good bye to Mr. Murray after Pysanka, I would like to thank him for his hard work this season.  There were a lot of Golds and accolades for his choreography and teaching skills collected by our dancers.  Sopilka wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.


Miss Kelsey is returning this September and will be accompanying the Ensemble on their trip to the Ukraine.  This is a wonderful opportunity for her to bond with the dancers and she will be bringing back new ideas for next year.  And of course, a great big thank you to Kelsey for everything she has done this year - including the golds for her instruction and choreography as well.


But the main point of my post is the Relay for Life that Sopilka participated in this past weekend.  I can honestly say that I'm still sore.  


Our dancers had a role in the entertainment this year, starting with the Yellow and Green groups dancing in the opening ceremonies.  We also did a half hour of Sopilka entertainment for the crowd later in the evening.  We had dancer's from the Ensemble, Black, and a lone boy from the Red group (and a guest dancer from Promin) get on stage and instruct the crowd on a few basic steps and then we rolled into a Kolomayjka for the last half.  The Kolomayjka was a great hit with the crowd, and who knows, maybe we enticed some of the Vortex Football players to enroll come September.


This event is an emotional roller coaster for those that attend.  For me it  started with the Survivor's Lap of the Celebrate portion of the evening. While it is a joyous moment for those who's battle is won to make this lap, it pulls on the heart strings to see the children make this walk. The evening gets even more emotional when the luminaries are lit during the Remembrance portion. I have lost family members and friends to cancer and to see their names lit up in memory, it is nice to know they are not forgotten. The Fight Back portion of the evening brings feelings of pride and awe for knowing what these survivor's have been through and yet they still fight with all they have.  I should be so lucky to have that kind of strength and zest for life.


But my experience is not the reasoning for this blog - Donna Stepanick is.  


Donna took on the role of the Relay for Life Coordinator for Sopilka this year.  This was a new addition to the roster in hopes of not only getting our name out more in the community, but giving something back. While this event garnished a lot of interest in September/October, the conflicting calendars won at sign up time.  Sopilka managed to put 9 people - parents and dancers - on the track, just short of the 10 - 15 participants we were hoping for. This meant a little more walking for those who signed up, but we did it. 


When Donna registered the team, she had to give a fundraising goal.  She set our goal at $2500.  And I am happy to report that we made it!  And I know Kayla and Donna walked many blocks and knocked on many doors, and raised over $1000 themselves!  


Donna did more than just organize the Sopilka team.  By attending the Relay for Life meetings, she ended up as a Member at Large for the Relay Committee team.  And Saturday afternoon set up found Donna erecting a brand new screened enclosure tent that she purchased so we would be somewhat out of the rain.  There were decorations, props, and more available for our team participants.  All of this was way beyond what was asked of her at the beginning.  And as we were walking the track all night, she was making plans for next year's Relay! 


So Donna, I would like to THANK YOU for all you did.  You took on this event with gusto and made it a success.  And you can count me in for next year. 


Sandra