Everything Nac

Folding a piece of paper, Samantha Lindsey, a Stephen F. Austin State University junior, looks downward to avoid watching the two dancers in front of her as they interpret each action and bring her choreography to life.

During the summer, Lindsey participated in the Exchange Choreography Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma — a program of curated dance performances of choreographed works, workshops and networking events designed to foster dialogue.

While in a master class taught by Doug Varone, an award-winning choreographer and director who works in dance, theatre, opera, film and fashion, Lindsey and other participants choreographed a dance by merely folding or playing with paper.

“When I was done choreographing, I watched my creation, and it was honestly the coolest thing I have ever experienced,” Lindsey said. “I remember I couldn’t stop smiling because I had just created this piece of movement without using words or sight. It was this raw, intricate and unique work that I would have never imagined doing.”

Each day during the festival, Lindsey attended sessions where different groups performed. She also performed in a piece of contemporary ballet that was choreographed by Heather Samuelson, an assistant professor of kinesiology and health science at SFA.

A Brenham, Texas, native, Lindsey said dancing has always been a part of her life. She has been trained in various art styles, including ballet, tap, jazz and Broadway.

Currently, she is pursuing a degree in dance and performance at SFA. Participating in the festival was one way for her to extend her knowledge and network with professionals in the field.

“I knew there was nothing else in this world I wanted to do more than dance. The love and support of my dance teachers is what has kept me in class and stopped me from giving up on myself,” Lindsey said. “Dance has impacted my life in so many ways, and I hope that one day I can share my passion with the world.”

To learn more about SFA’s dance program, visit sfasu.edu/kinesiology/104.asp.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

On a recent trip to Arizona, Dr. Flora Farago, assistant professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s human development and family studies program, officially began an organization that will help girls thousands of miles away in Kenya.

Farago and her colleagues Mercy Musomi, executive director of the Girl Child Network; Drs. Beth Swadener and Heather Switzer, professors at Arizona State University; and Sarah Davis, volunteer and former intern for the GCN, launched the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Friends of the Girl Child Network. This organization provides resources to the GCN in Kenya to support and expand its operations and work on issues of gender justice.

The GCN is an organization advocating for the education and rights of women and girls in Kenya. GCN deals with social issues, such as child marriage and female education.

“Women and girls, both within the U.S. and across the world, still face significant disadvantages and sexism,” Farago said. “GCN works on many fronts to eliminate child marriage and female genital cutting and ensure that girls stay in school. Our organization will allow GCN to expand its programming and support a larger number of girls across initiatives.”

According to the organization’s website, Friends of the Girl Child Network members provide sponsorships for girls to attend school and promote community education to address the issues keeping girls from becoming successful adults. Sponsorship helps combat abusive homes, harmful cultural practices, poverty and discrimination.

“I feel it is critical to do what we can in our own spheres of influence to spread and allocate resources in an unfair world,” Farago said. “With Friends of the Girl Child Network, I have an opportunity to pay things forward, to spread the wealth and to assist channeling resources to GCN in Kenya that directly lift up women and girls.”

For three weeks this summer Farago worked in Kenya to help lay the groundwork for launching Friends of the Girl Child Network. This is her second trip to Kenya.

Farago and her colleagues delivered donations, including children’s books, toys, and adult and children’s clothing to GCN. SFA faculty and staff, Nacogdoches community members, the NAACP Nacogdoches Chapter, members of the Organization of Faith, Education and Community, local churches, and the Nacogdoches Public Library supplied many of the donations.

Learn more about how you can become involved with Friends of the Girl Child Network by contacting Farago at faragof@sfasu.edu, or visit friendsofthegirl.org.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.