Dance has the power to touch the lives of so many people in so many ways. It is a gift that should never be kept to yourself, but shared with as many people as possible. To put into words the feeling that dance has given me over all of these years is a task I am not sure I can master, because the genuine love I have for it and what it has given me is indescribable. I witnessed the power of dance first hand at ZUMBA for RACHEL on January 23, 2011. It was an event that left everyone who participated in it in complete and utter awe. It brought together old friends, new friends, and loved, ones all who gathered to celebrate the life of Rachel Bascietto.
Rachel was a dedicated teacher and friend to so many people. Perhaps no one could attest to her impact more than the students who she taught at Horizons Dance Center. She taught countless students and spread the joy of dance for decades. I myself remember her at competitions always spunky as could be, in the corner dancing along every time one of her students performed lol.
My dance teacher Margaret Tapogna was one of Rachel's dear friends. They danced together and taught together for years, sharing their gifts with everyone who crossed their paths. The dance world lost a precious gem when Rachel lost her battle with lung cancer, but with loss came a beautiful celebration of her life.
In her honor Margaret decided to coordinate a "Zumbathon," where everyone who loved Rachel could come and keep her spirit alive through dance. The event was held at Poly Prep in Brooklyn, NY and was bigger than anyone could have hoped for. Dancers from all over Brooklyn gathered to shake their booty and ZUMBA for RACHEL !!!! Their were raffles, a wonderful array of refreshments, t-shirts, sweat-shirts, and so much more. All of the proceeds from the event will be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Rachel's honor, for she was a dedicated supporter of the charity for over 20 years. http://www.stjude.org/waystohelp
We are waiting on the final tally, but it is safe to say no matter what the final tabulation is the event was a HUGE success on so many levels!!!!
TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED HERE ARE SOME GRACIOUS WORDS FROM MARGARET !!!!!
"I am so THANKFUL for the success of Zumba for Rachel my feet are still not on the ground. We had about 175 PEOPLE in attendance!!!!!!! Thank you for helping me reach my goal and surpassing it beyond my dreams! The love that was in that room that day will remain with all of us forever. I can't thank you enough for all your support, generosity, kindness and great energy to help make this day A PHENOMENAL DAY, A TRUE CELEBRACHEL! A well deserved testament to a beautiful woman and human being. I looked into that gym and saw sheer JOY, everyone helped to put this event together like little elves at Christmas time! The room was so stunning! Bravo and Thank you for that!" -Margaret Tapogna
Margaret is simply an amazing human being, selfless in every way possible, and is just a person who infects you with genuine happiness. She has such a zest for life and a glow about her that makes you want to be a better person when you are in her presence. It is a quality not many people possess, and I am so thankful and blessed to have her in my life. She worked so hard to put together this event and it truly paid off. I am so humbled that I was able to be a part of such a remarkable celebration and really had so much fun ZUMBA-ing lol.
Cannot wait for ZUMBA for RACHEL 2012!!!!! <3333 xoxo
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| DWDC <3 |
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| MARGARET <33333333333 |
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| DWDC <333 |
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| ZUMBA TIME !!!! |
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| Aww memories <3 |
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| Haha Little Anthony even did ZUMBA !!! XOXO CHRISTINA <3 |
