2011 Scholarship Entry #152: Kate Van Kruyssen

In a world that is increasingly automated where my generation is hardly ever found without their laptops, gaming systems, or cell phones it is easy to see that this attachment to technology is no dying trend. While I am not against technology (as I sit here typing on my laptop) because I know all the advantages it has given us, I am more concerned with the consequences of it such as obesity, sleep deprivation, and loss of people skills. Even in Canada these effects are quite apparent, for example a 1978/1979 Canadian Health Survey reported that 13.8% of all Canadians were obese, this result compared to the 2004 survey that yielded 23.1% shows a dramatic increase in the problem of obesity which many people attribute to societies acceptance of technology into daily life. My solution to help curb these effects is to help people become more involved in organized activities, specifically dance.

I plan on using my love of dance to help people to enjoy it as much as I do and see the great benefits it holds. By dancing people can alleviate the problems of obesity, sleep deprivation, and loss of people skills with ease. In a dance class people get their heart rate up which then increases metabolism which uses energy as fuel so you become more tired; this allows for people to maintain a healthy body and makes it easier for people to fall asleep. One of the best benefits of dancing, or any organized activity, is the people and friends you make. By being in a dance class you all share something in common which makes it easy to bond and develop lifelong friends, friends that you will talk to in person at least once a week. I am a true test of the effectiveness of organized activities combating the effects of a technology addicted society; this is why I feel so strongly about what I plan to do.

Next year I will be attending the University of Calgary with hopes of completing my degrees in both dance and biological sciences. I will use my increased knowledge of dance, teaching styles, technique, styles of dance, to become a better teacher and provide my students with the best possible experiences. I have also started on my mission to expand dance by teaching ballet at Expressions the Dance Gallery where I help my little ballerinas explore the wonderful world of dance, and keep them active. I also take advantage of volunteer teaching positions where I can teach a wider range of people the enjoyment of dance, and once again keep them active. I have volunteered many hours to my high school choreographing dance numbers, and also at the Strathmore boys and girls club giving kids who would not necessarily try dance an opportunity to fall in love with it. I believe that by helping people enjoy exercise we can slowly get rid of the growing trends of obesity, sleep deprivation, and loss of people skills.