minekoshannon.com

June 14, 2005

Can you help me?

mineko wrote this around lunchtime:

My name is Mineko Shannon and I have a dream. I’ve been dancing my whole life, just not professionally. My family could never afford to put me in classes, so I just dance on my own. I can’t exactly describe the feeling I get, because it’s so unreal. It’s the only time when I can completely express myself, get out frustration, and feel absolute harmony. The feeling of moving every part of your body in its own means is unlike anything else. It’s being able to express an emotion, a story, or feeling. It’s expressing anything you desire, really. Everyone has a passion, I think. Dancing is my passion.

I’m 17 years young currently living with my mom in Asheville, North Carolina. I’ve lived here my whole life, but moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio with my dad 7th through 10th grade. I was able to challenge and learn about myself in many ways when I lived there. I still danced after school with the Modern Dance Club and in my own spare time. I’m a pretty carefree person with a lot of heart. My friends come to me for advice and I usually end up being the equilibrium in almost every situation. To most people, having that responsibility would be a burden, but to me it’s an honor. I enjoy helping people and love making everyone smile. I’ve come to be quite the class clown.

I’ve always maintained exceptional grades in all of my classes. In Ohio, I was very active in the Theatre program, always helping out with productions. I even wrote a play entitled "Never Let Go" that was later put on the stage with many other student-written plays in a tradition called New Stages. I choreographed a dance my freshman year and helped my best friend, Julia, choreograph two other dances my sophomore year. When I moved to Owen in Asheville last year, I immediately became involved in the dance program. I jumped right into Dance III, choreographing a dance called "Sweet Dreams." It was definitely a challenge, because there is so much more competition here. There is a lot of talent, which means more dances choreographed by students. This semester, I choreographed a dance that also had to do with a dream entitled "Pursuing a Dream." It has been no doubt the finest exertion I’ve produced. I had so much fun this semester, being in 2 dance classes. I’ve helped choreograph 4 other dances that I also put forth much effort to complete. I always put my blood, sweat and tears into every dance I do, because it’s what I love.

Sweet Dreams I was skeptical at the beginning of last year, seeing as how I was happy at Shaker. But my dad lost his job and things became really difficult, so we couldn’t really afford to live there any longer. I still had a few friends at Owen from middle and elementary school, so I figured I’d go back to a semi-familiar place. The great thing about Owen is the dance program. I have an amazing teacher whom I’ve grown close to over the past year. She’s helped me tremendously with dancing and assisting me with choreography when needed. I have a lot to thank Mrs. Osby for, especially for taking me to audition for the North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Program. Two days before the audition, Mrs. Osby (dance teacher) asked me if I would like to audition with a very talented fellow dancer, Jackie Shook. Of course I knew I couldn’t pass up this opportunity, so Mrs. Osby took me to the school that weekend with Jackie and we auditioned. We were both accepted and ecstatic for the opportunity presented to us! Opportunities of this sort aren’t handed to me, so I realize that I’m very lucky to have been accepted. Seeing as how I don’t have any real dance experience, this is huge for me. Going to this summer program could lead to me going to the school for my senior year and possibly college. I need this program to build my stamina and expand my mind. I definitely need more work and with this, I could be all I can be. The only hurdle in my path is my family’s lack of money. The program costs around $2450, and the money just isn’t there. Most families have at least good credit and stable jobs, but recently, things have been very hard for us. I don’t want our lack of money preventing me from pursuing my goals and dreams. So I’m reaching out to you, all my friends and acquaintances, asking for a little help.

See, if I just had the help of generous people who had a little extra money, it would lead to me achieving a dream of mine. By next week, I can be dancing my heart out with a happiness I haven’t really known. I will be using my passion and talent for great things. What more can I say but I want this more than anything in the world right now. I just want to dance, and with this summer program, I will.

All I’m asking if for a small donation. Anything really–as little as a dollar will help. If everyone I knew and those who are friends of my friends donate at least one dollar I will have enough to go. After I’ve raised the money I will close the donations button.

I’m using my dad’s account so you will see talizman on the paypal page.

For any donations of $25 or more I will send you an autographed photograph. Who knows, maybe it will be worth some big money on ebay when I’m famous.