Caitlin McAvoy ('15)

Caitlin McAvoy (’15), the beneficiary of a Hillcrest Scholarship for Service and Leadership, traveled to Deborah House in Sibiu, Romania, to research and implement a dance therapy inspired program for young, female survivors of sexual abuse. She hoped to help them heal through the universal medium of dance. The challenge was daunting for the honors student and musical theater major. Within a few days McAvoy needed to develop a rapport with the girls and prepare them for a public dance performance while at the same time navigating a significant language barrier. She succeeded, and in the process was transformed herself. McAvoy found a confidence and empowerment of her own. "In my future I see myself opening a dance studio based on positive body image and female empowerment, as well as continuing service trips of this nature," she says. No doubt, she will continue to share her talents, taking dance to a level where lives are changed. 

"A vision for change"