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photo2My daughter, Elisabeth competed in the “National Association for Korean Schools Mid-Atlantic Chapter” Speech Contest on April 20th, 2013 in Philadelphia. 

The contest is to write an original speech about one’s dream in life, memorize and deliver the speech in Korean.  This is something which I have not been able to do as a child. 

Not only did she compete in it, she placed “Gold”- First Prize! I am so proud of her.  Here is her speech in English.

My Dream Is…

By: Elisabeth S. Lee

Everyone has a talent or is passionate for something.  Everyone has a plan for whom they want to be in the future.  For me that dream is to be a dancer. Dancing is my life, my future, my dream.

I’ve been dancing since the age of 3 and ever since then my passion and love for it has grown. It all started at the local YMCA in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  My mom signed me up for the community class and I have loved it ever since.   After a year of classes at the YMCA, I moved to an advanced school called “Kathleen A. Magyar”.  After a few years there, I changed schools to the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley which has classes in pre-professional ballet.  It is there that I dance ballet, pointe, and jazz.  For the past 3 years, I dance 6 classes a week for 2-5 hours a class.

As a dancer, my feet hurt, my back aches, and I have to make sure I’m eating the right food.  There is much pain from dancing as it strains my muscles and oftentimes my feet ache at the end of the day.   As I go through some of these difficulties and time commitment, I ask myself, “Why do I continue to dance?”DSC_0067

I still think about this question, today.

Even though these things occur I still feel content as a dancer and feel great joy from dancing.

Last December, I danced in the Pennsylvania’s Youth Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”  It was my 5th year dancing in the same production.  It requires auditions, lots of rehearsals, costume fittings, breaks and more rehearsals.  I often have no time to eat after school as my mother whisks me to rehearsals.

Everyone gives me support and love. This gives me even more confidence to do what I want to do most, DANCE.

 Some of you may ask “doesn’t it get boring from doing the same thing over and over?”

DSC_0082My answer is “no, it does not.”

I believe that if you truly love something you would never get tired of it. This is exactly how I feel about dancing.

The thing that makes me really enjoy dancing is the experience.  You can never experience performing on stage, looking glamorous in costumes unless you have actually danced in a production. The whole production is always so memorable and I encourage myself to enjoy every part of it, or I will regret it.

I love the feeling of being on stage.

With the lights and attention on me, it makes me feel great during my time on stage. It reminds me that I’m not doing this just for myself, but I’m also doing it for the audience. To bring joy to the audience members as they watch the performance.

This brings me to my next dream which is to help others and give back to our community.DSC_0041

I want to make everyone’s life happier by giving donations, working at charities, and help making a good impact to the environment.

Have you ever thought about what our future may be or look like? Have you ever thought of the people who don’t have a bed to sleep on or have any food to eat? They do not know what it feels like to have a home or have meals every day.  Through my dance and charity work, I want to change that.photo

Giving or changing little things one day at a time can make a difference in our world. Little things can put big smiles on dozens of faces.  Just like my dancing.

We could all do that if we tried.

This is my dream.

[read also:  Elisabeth S. Lee:  Dancing is My Life & My Trip to Yangon, Myanmar]

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180Elisabeth is in grade 6 at LVA.  She loves to act and dance and starred in her school play “Anne of Green Gables”.  She also sings in the school choir and also is in her school band.  She takes ballet and jazz lessons and also enjoys playing the piano and flute.

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