It is 2 am and I have never been so awake.

On Sunday 16th, the Steps Ahead dancers, led by Ms. Lorraine Blake, Brentwood’s Head of Dance, dedicated their heart and soul to Amelie McLean, who has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. The selflessness reflected in each performance was more than inspirational. It stripped away every materialistic thought, and anything on your mind other than what genuinely mattered. In all honesty, it made me think of what I would have left if everything I owned was taken away. What would you have left? For the relationships you have you do not own, but rather earn. The love you have found is not simply given to you, but produced over time. Even in our most demanding struggles, there is love.

Though Brentwood students, and the community in general, may be absorbed in their fruitful lives, there should always be time to unwind and take a step back as many did on Sunday. Yes, academics on Sundays are of high priority in terms of time management, but the appreciation for life, for all that we have, is of greater significance.

Everything was left on the stage in both acts of “Dancing for Amelie” and each sashay or lift was choreographed by the dancers themselves, one of which was Michelle.M, a Brentwood student.  They danced for life and battled with their passions for Amelie’s fight against her illness. What amazes me, is how a young girl who is battling leukemia can have such a huge smile on her face. How is it that she has become so strong in so little time? Strength like that is timeless.

In solos, duets or trios, the dancers gave it their all, displaying the affect that Amelie must have on everyone who performed and watched the acts. People struggled against crying , —myself included, though I am a sap— the girls were left breathless after their numbers as emotions stirred and faltered throughout the Bunch theatre. “Dancing for Amelie” will not be forgotten, for it has struck a chord, and permanently reminded us of the beauty around us and how fighting together for something that truly matters can bring such a positive outcome such as the $6,445 that was raised Sunday afternoon.

For all of those who were present on Sunday, I humbly thank you. This battle may be overwhelming and I am more than certain that the McLean family are appreciative of the support they must have seen in every seat that was filled in the theatre, every coin or bill that was donated and the smiles they received.

A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Widenmaier, Mr.Flynn and his marketing students as well as Mr. Armitage and his theatre production volunteer crew who worked backstage in order to make this performance possible and of course, the divine dancers who stirred and sauntered into our hearts. On that note, I ask you this: At the end of the day what matters most to you? I hope you fight for it.