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Dance Explosion Students, Parents and Friends:
While watching the VaTech convocation, I found myself trying to think of how I could do something to show support during their time of need. I noticed that Reema Samaha, one of the fallen students, was a dancer. The community especially feels her loss, as Reema's sister, Randa Samaha, is a third year student at UVA. What I am committed to do, is donate all of the profits from any sales of our Dance Explosion shirts to the Contemporary Dance Ensemble of which Reema was a part of, and I am also working on a few other ideas for the donations as well with her friends and family. CDE is a student organization and could truly benefit from any funds we can provide them for costumes, performance expenses, scholarships, etc.
To date, we have generated $600 in profit from our t-shirt sales. $300 was donated to the Reema J. Samaha Memorial Scholarship Fund and $300 to the CDE. We do still have shirts available to sell until the supply is exhausted. The Memorial Scholarship fund is awarded to graduating seniors from Westfield High School in Chantilly, Virginia who will be attending a Virginia state university and who best exemplify the attributes of Reema. Among the attributes considered are the following: 1) Love for the Performing Arts, 2) Academic Excellence, 3) Exceptional Character, 4) Openness of Mind, 5) Respect for Diversity.
In October of 2007, our performing group, Ritmo Con Ache participated in the CDE performance "Dedicated" to which Reema's family attended. It was an amazing experience meeting them and being a part of a collaborative performance in her memory. Her family was extremely grateful for our time and fundraising efforts. Our performance can be viewed on Youtube.
The image below shows the graphic on the snug black tshirts and the unisex black tshirts. The black camisoles (w/ shelf lining and adjustable straps) do not have the ribbon and "VT" is in white only. If you are interested in joining with us to show our support and help to commemorate the joy of dance that Reema Samaha showed the members of the VaTech community, I would truly appreciate it! The shirts are $17 each and if you would like them shipped to you, please add $5 to help with costs. Please respond via to see if we have the size/style you want. I will keep everyone posted on how much we raise! Let's keep all the students, faculty, staff and families in our prayers.
Dancers in support of Hokies!!
Lea Moore, Director of Dance Explosion
Note: The camisole does does NOT have the ribbon and the VT is in white.
Dear Lea, Dance Explosion staff and students:
During this most difficult period for us, we wish to thank you for your condolences
and acknowledge your gift of $300 in honor of our dear Reema. As we continue to
honor Reema's legacy and future aspirations through prayer and worth causes, your
generosity will be remembered and you will always be part of our family. Reema wrote,
"It is the most satisfying feeling to know that the simple form of dance has the
power to unite so many individuals whatever their backgrounds."
So pure, so utopian, so inclusive, so true and so very much Reema. Thank you for
your great effort in keeping Reema's memory alive. We will be in touch soon.
Mona & Joe Samaha
Some photos courtesy of Ben Trumbo.