Princesses Behind Cynderella

Every year the Q puts on a show at the conclusion of summer camp. Nearly all of the children enrolled in camp participate in the show. Last year, the show was Ann-ee.

130 children ages 5-18 attended dance instruction daily, and learned choreography for the 10 different dances for the show.

They performed to a full house at Dunbar High School auditorium which has a capacity of 735 people. Ten dances in 8 weeks. That’s a lot of dances.

I know what you are thinking: how is this possible? It’s a lot of work by a lot of people. But there’s no show without these three ladies.

Keesha Allen: Director/Choreographer/Dance Instructor

The driving force is Ms. Keesha. She’s been at the Q since 2002. Although her degree is in childhood education, she has worked in a variety of capacities. She has taught dance and created and put on performances for over 12 years. In the last 7 years, the productions have become bigger and more elaborate. She has played a key role in all of the performances as an instructor and choreographer.

Keesha has been dancing and choreographing dances since she was 14 years old. She attended LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, and trained and performed with Harambee in New York. She worked in several movies and commercials until relocating to Fort Myers and came to work at the Q. As Performing Arts Director, Keesha has created partnerships with a variety of professional dancers to give the children of the Q exceptional dance exposure and instruction.

Angela Franklin: Writer

Angela Franklin’s daughter attends the Q and dances, so she is very familiar with the programs, and the performances. With a degree in broadcast journalism, Angela worked at Waterman Broadcasting before making the shift to teaching. She taught ESE classes for 12 years, and now teaches ACT and SAT prep at Lehigh Senior High School. Angela was asked to help write a script four years ago, and she’s been the official script-writer for the show ever since.

Monicke Bell: Music and Drama

Ms. Monicke was hired part-time to help with music for the Wiz Meets the Wizard of Oz. Her beautiful voice earned her a full scholarship for music at Edison College (now Florida SouthWestern). Like Angela, Monicke is also a Lee County School employee, so the Q is able to utilize her talents in the summer. She has abilities in so many areas – music, drama and dance – she also quickly became a full-time summer employee.  Monicke said she enjoys being a part of the Q summer production because it is unique: “I have been involved in other shows, but never anything like this. The Q puts it all together, and includes all of the kids. It is an experience.”

This year’s performance, Cynderella, is an updated version of the classic story of a girl persisting in the face of difficult circumstances and believing in herself. The show will take place on July 21 at 6 p.m. at Dunbar High School. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children, and are available at Quality Life Center.*

Where else are you going to get all this?

*To purchase tickets on-line, hit the "Donate" button on the Q's website (qualitylifecenter.org), and put: Cynderella, the number of adult tickets, number of child tickets and the name you would like them to be listed under at Will Call. They will be ready for you at Dunbar HS on the day of the show.

The Journey Continues

At the Q we are saying goodbye to some family members. While we will miss them, it is a happy moment. These youths have graduated from high school, and are embarking on the next part of their journey. For all of them, it begins with college. Congratulations to Terrell Brunson, Angel Escobar, Remy Johnson, KeeShaurn McCaulley, Jeremiah Rice, and Zah’Cauria Smart.

Two of these graduates have been named as the recipients of the 2017 Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship which are presented to outstanding students who have participated in Quality Life Center programs. Remy Johnson and KeeShaurn McCaulley each earned a $1,250 scholarship award.

KeeShaurn was involved in football and track in high school, and has participated in Quality Life Center programs since he was 5 years old.

In addition to academic activities, KeeShaurn has been involved in martial arts, dance, and drama, including standout performances as Rafiki in Lion “Qing” and as Mr. Stacks in last year’s Ann-ee.

KeeShaurn graduated from Bishop Verot High School. He will be attending Webber International University to study sports management on a football scholarship. His career goal is to become a high school football recruiter here in Southwest Florida. He would like to cultivate the talent in his community while also imparting the type of guidance he was provided, possibly through a youth football organization dedicated to a friend, Eddie Buggs who passed away from cancer at the age of 13.

He said many people at the Q influenced him, and taught him important lessons. Among them that athletics is cool, but places like the Q are where you build a brotherhood; and the importance of people who support you. It may be uncomfortable, it may even be painful, but they are the people who bring out the best in you.

At age 6, Remy Johnson experienced the trauma of being torn from her mother and everyone she knew, and being handed over to multiple strangers. It was in foster care that she learned what it means to be strong. At age 18, she is the first in her family to graduate from high school and go to college.

A challenging childhood didn’t stop her from dreaming. She imagined herself as a heart surgeon, a tennis player, a chef. Remy’s future plans crystalized as a freshman at Dunbar High School with a class: the Principles of Biomedical Science. Her interest was sparked and she took every class offered in the biomedical program. She will begin Florida SouthWestern State College in the fall, minoring in Biomedical Science and majoring in Nursing.

Throughout high school, Remy was active in Literacy Club, H.O.S.A (Health Occupations Students of America), Prom Committee, Scholars Club and volleyball. She was also a leader in Quality Life Center’s teen program. She took part in service projects, volunteered with the younger children, helped create and run a business as an academic project at the center, and took on a variety of leadership responsibilities, including speaking at public meetings with community leaders and moderating a school board debate. She was able to earn income for school expenses through paid internships the last two summers, and as front desk staff for the last year at Quality Life Center.

All of our students have different challenges, different strengths and different paths, but they share a strong motivation and sense of community.  To all of the young people, we are proud of you, and happy to call you family.