First recipients of Lindsey Marie Eyles scholarship named
Submitted by Sue Eyles
Ceara Cullen and Bridget Sledz, both residents of Mount Prospect, are the recipients of the first Lindsey Marie Eyles Dance Scholarship. Cullen and Sledz were selected from the 22 young dancers who applied via the www.lindseydanceson.com website by Lindsey's parents Sue and Jeff Eyles. Both dancers received a $1,000 award for dance class tuition, costume fees or other expenses related to dance training.
Ceara Cullen is a Freshman at Prospect High School and has trained intensively for more than eight years at the Shelia Tulley Academy of Irish Dance. Cullen participates in Irish dance competitions throughout the year at the regional and national levels.
Bridget Sledz, a Junior at Prospect High School, is a student at the Mount Prospect School of Classical Ballet where she has trained for more than 12 years and is a member of the School's touring performance troupe “Ballet Expressions.” She also studies lyrical jazz and jazz with the Mount Prospect Center for Tap and Jazz, and recently performed in the Schaumburg Youth Dance Ensemble's annual production of “The Nutcracker.”
“Selecting just two scholarship recipients from the many qualified applicants was very challenging,” said Lindsey's mother, Sue Eyles. “Both Ceara and Bridget's applications were extremely thoughtful, well written, and beautifully illustrated their dedication to dance. We are very proud to award them the first annual Lindsey Marie Eyles Dance Scholarship.”
Dance students interested in applying for the 2012 Lindsey Marie Eyles Scholarship must reside in Mount Prospect, be in sixth through 11th grade, and be currently enrolled at a dance studio in the Chicago area. Applicants may train in any style of dance. The 2012 scholarships will be awarded to two applicants who demonstrate Lindsey's legacy of excellence in dance, strength of character, discipline, and a desire to achieve his or her highest potential. Applications will be accepted starting in the spring of 2012. For application and scholarship details, or to contribute to the scholarship fund and help ensure the continuity of this scholarship for young dancers, log on to www.lindseydanceson.com.
Lindsey Marie Eyles was a talented and dedicated young dancer who was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a very rare cancer of the soft tissue when she was just 9 years old. Throughout her courageous battle, she continued dancing, always striving to perfect every step with a laser focus and a sparkling smile. Sadly, Lindsey's 18-month fight against cancer ended on Nov. 28, 2010, but her joyful spirit, positive attitude and determination continue to be an inspiration to many young dancers. In celebration of her life and love of dance, the Eyles family established the Lindsey Marie Eyles Dance Scholarship to help foster Lindsey's passion for and dedication to dance in other young dancers in Mount Prospect.
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