The Houston Ballet awarded ballet scholarships to six of the 25 Wainwright ES  first- and second-graders who were selected to participate in the organization’s “Chance to Dance” program. The ballet provided six weeks of classes, as well as transportation to their Center for Dance in downtown Houston.

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The students received instruction in the fundamentals of ballet and dance from Lauren Anderson, a retired Houston Ballet principal dancer, and Ellie Blanchat, the education and community engagement teacher.

The scholarships, which went to Ivan Gonzalez, Ja’Nay Leonard, Catalina Alejandro, Camron Richard, Litzy Nunez, and Cyrus Carlos, fund their enrollment in the Houston Ballet’s year-round program. The six students will attend the intensive summer program, as well as the fall and spring semesters.

“I feel proud about getting the scholarship,” said first-grader Litzy Nunez. “I worked my hardest, and now I plan to keep working hard.”

“Ballet makes me excited, because I feel like a superhero,” said second-grader Cyrus Carlos. “I feel like I have superpowers!”

The scholarships, which are valued at $1,165, cover all tuition and fees, including uniforms. Students are evaluated at the end of each year to determine if their scholarships will be renewed.

Click here for more information on the “Chance to Dance” program.

For biographical information on Anderson and Blanchat, please visit this page.