2019 – 2020, 9th Grade Project (50 hours) – Emmie DaBell
Emmie DaBell had a desire to learn Aerial Dance and set out to learn this technique as a method for story-telling. Additionally, she yearned to find a positive outlet for the stress and worry that often accompanies a high school student. After researching the benefits of Aerial Dance, she quickly learned that this format would also prove to be a unique and fun way to incorporate exercise into a regular routine. Emmie set out to find a studio that offered aerial instruction and was pleased to find one in close proximity to where she lives.
For six months Emmie attended two classes per week and worked with her coach to develop and improve her technique while increasing her strength, flexibility, and balance. Emmie put a lot of thought into the “story” she wanted to tell for her recital piece, and decided one of overcoming personal challenges would be meaningful. Set to “Fight Song” Emmie’s coach guided her through the choreography, and she wasable to reserve the studio, where she performed and recorded her recital to share with friends and family on social media.
As part of Emmie’s oral defense of learning, she reflected on her experience:
I love Aerial. It takes away my anxiety and allows me to be in the moment. I failed many times [in my lessons] but I never gave up… After successfully completing a trick that I couldn’t do before, I felt so empowered. This project helped me see it’s okay to fail as long as you get back up—and I am so much stronger than I thought.
Emmie DaBell