The Dance Connection graduating class of 2020: Ashley Swistun, Bridgitte Campbell, Halle Bauml, Ryleigh Kramer, Carlie Hornsby, Derian Nachtegaele, Alex Chmelnyk, Brooklyn Bartkewich, Kira Dmytryshyn. (submitted photo/Daylan Sabin)

By Martin Martinson

Dance Dance Graduation

Local dance studio celebrates graduates with special send-off

Jun 16, 2020 | 10:17 AM

North Battleford’s Dance Connection is celebrating its 2020 graduating class in unique style this year.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the studio was unable to host its usual send-off for graduating dancers via an on-stage final performance. However, despite the setback, organizers have remained committed to making it a special farewell for the nine making a pirouette to new opportunities come this fall.

The festivities began with a virtual celebration through the form of personal videos featuring pictures from each of the graduates’ dance journey. The video was posted on the Dance Connection social media platforms.

The graduating class is learning a specially choreographed ‘socially distanced’ dance which will be photographed later this month.

Owner of Dance Connection, Daylan Sabin, said it was important to make this year a special celebration for the dancers despite] the pandemic. She wanted to show appreciation for the hours students have put in.

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“It was very important, as they’ve spent almost their whole lives here,” she said. “They start at about four years old, so it’s been about 12 or 13 years [for many of them] dancing at the studio and that’s a long time committed. Of course we would have liked to have a bigger farewell for them, but we just wanted to do something for them to say thank you for being with us for many years.”

Although this may be Sabin’s first year as the owner of Dance Connection, she has been teaching the current graduating class for many years. She said getting to know the students over such a long time makes it truly something to watch them spread their wings; adding she’s looking forward to seeing whatever may be next in each of their lives, both in dancing and in life.

“It was a privilege to watch them grow from a tiny tot to basically an adult,” she said. “School teachers have kids for a year and then they move on to another grade, but we have them for 13 years, so we see them grow and teach them for that long. Just to watch them shine on stage was special. I wish them all the best in the future and always hope they come back to visit.”

The Dance Connection Graduating Class for 2020

Ryleigh Kramer

Kramer was accepted into the University of Saskatchewan where she will begin her pursuit toward a criminal/forensic psychology doctorate.

Alex Chmelnyk

Chmelnyk was accepted into the animal bioscience program at the University of Saskatchewan next year.

Kira Dmytryshyn

Dmytryshyn was accepted into the University of Saskatchewan and plans to get a four-year degree before entering law school.

Brooklyn Bartkewich

Bartkewich was accepted into the nursing program at Sask. Polytechnic.

Darian Nachtegaele

Nachtegaele was accepted into the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan and hopes to one day become a lawyer.

Halle Bauml

Bauml was accepted into the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.

Bridgitte Campbell

Campbell plans to attend the University of Saskatchewan to pursue a science degree with hopes of getting into medicine.

Carlie Hornsby

Hornsby was accepted into the Bachelor of Commerce program at MacEwan University.

Ashley Swistun

Swistun has been accepted into the nursing program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1