When Avani C. is not devoting her time and attentions to her studies or springing across the stage in dance competitions, this ambitious Year 6 student is dreaming up ways to make a positive impact on the world. Last month, she decided to donate fourteen inches of her long locks to the BeYOUtiful Foundation while raising awareness about uterine cancer.
One of the challenging aspects of this decision had to do with her religious beliefs. In the Sikh faith, cutting one's hair is discouraged as it is viewed as a symbol of strength. However, with this desire to do something for a good cause and honor an ill family member, she was able to make peace with the decision.
When she found out her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, it inspired her to do something. When asked about her grandmother, she explained, "I feel sad, but I'm only going through a sliver of what she's going through." She added, "When I told her I was doing this, it made her happy. This made me happy, which made me know I was doing the right thing!"
The BeYOUtiful foundation was designed to provide hope, love and a path to feeling beYOUtiful for young girls to women. Avani was moved by the organizations community based approach, in providing not just hair to those in need, but the additional emotional support and care that comes into play.
Connecting salons & stylists to local cancer survivors, providing online education (covering cutting, styling, utilizing wigs & dealing with chemo hair), the organization is there from diagnosis to remission and beyond.
Whether hard at work on lessons, putting her all into dance competitions, or thinking of ways to help others, Avani is certainly on the right path to continued success inside and outside of the classroom!
Learn more about the BeYOUtiful Foundation at: thebeayoutifulfoundation.com
The Performing Arts Team shares more about the BISC-LP collaboration with Juilliard and how the Juilliard Creative Classroom benefits our students.
