This past Saturday, June 15, Gin Dance Company performed at the Angel Fund’s 2013 Remembrance Cabaret at the Westfield High School Auditorium in honor of Reema Samaha who died in the Virginia Tech Shooting on April 16, 2007.   We are so honored and thrilled to have been a part of this special evening.  It was a charity event to help raise funds for The Angel Fund which helps the community take action against bullying, addiction, depression and suicide through education programs and advocacy (http://www.angelfundva.org/). This event was also helped raise funds for the Reema J. Samaha Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to graduating seniors from Westfield High School, Herndon High School, and female graduate students of Lebanese or Arab origin (http:reemasamaha.org/funds/funds1.htm).  A bake sale and silent auction opened at 6 :00 pm.  There were many homemade goods from talented bakers throughout the community and a great variety of different items ranging from an autographed football from the Washington Redskins, an autographed baseball from the Washington Nationals, various artworks, and other great items.  At 7:15 pm, the performance started.  The cabaret was filled with talented performers in a variety of different genres including dance, music, and comedy.  There were lots of cheering and laughters.  Everyone had a great time.  It was a special evening that brought all of us together to remember and celebrate Reema’s contribution to the performing arts.  It was a real pleasure meeting Mr. and Mrs. Samaha (Reema’s parents).  I also learned that many people around me are connected with Reema.  My student, Samara Singer, is Reema’s cousin… My friends, the Posbic’s were also cousins with Reema.  It was so nice seeing them at the event.  It truly is a small world and we are all connected.  Giving tribute to this idea, we performed ‘The Core’ … A piece choreographed with this idea of interconnectivity.

Special thanks to the Dillard sisters, Ashley and Phoebe, their dedication, hard work, and passion to help make this event possible goes beyond words.  Please remember that each day is a gift.  Reema’s sudden loss 6 years ago, serves as a reminder that each day is precious and that we must live life to fullest each and every day.

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