HSSD thanks Thea Foundation for gift
Hot Springs Middle School hosted a reception Tuesday afternoon to show gratitude to the Thea Foundation and two local women for their donation of $3,500 worth of dance shoes and attire for students in grades 7-12.
The Thea Foundation, Robyn Horn and Dorothy Morris donated the supplies to the dance programs at the middle school and Hot Springs High School. Amy Bramlett, the dance teacher at both schools, is a Hot Springs graduate and a past recipient of a scholarship from the foundation.
Paul Leopoulos, founder of the Thea Foundation, attended Tuesday’s reception, but Horn and Morris were unable to be present. Dance students from
both schools were allowed to attend the reception.
High school Principal Lloyd Jackson, middle school Principal George Wilson and Superintendent Joyce Craft were introduced by Bramlett.
The Thea Foundation has awarded 248 scholarships since 2002. Leopoulos said Bramlett told him before she received her scholarship that her dream was to perform at locations across the world.
The scholarship helped Bramlett attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He said he was proud to see her graduate from TCU, achieve her dream and then return to her hometown to give back to students.
“What she is going to give you is this — she is going to help give you confidence,” Leopoulos said. “The reason I know that is the reason why we have the Thea Foundation.”
Leopoulos and his wife, Linda, created the foundation in 2001 after their daughter, Thea Kay, was killed in a car accident near the end of her junior year at North Little Rock High School. He said his daughter was not confident in school until she became involved in the arts or the first time.
Thea made C’s and D’s in school and disliked math and science. Leopoulos said she changed after becoming involved in and enjoying visual art, dance, drama and creative writing.
“She started feeling better about school,” Leopoulos said. “It seems funny that something like that would help you feel good about yourself.”
Leopoulos said his daughter began to make all A’s and B’s in school. Her parents learned after her death that she had earned an “A” in her trigonometry class. Their research has indicated that her improvement in school was derived from her involvement in and enjoyment of the arts.
“Every one of you is brilliant,” Leopoulos said. “I don’t care what your grades are. I’m sorry. That has nothing to do with how smart you are.
“Every one of you is brilliant and when you find something you like to do, and you go do it, it will turn you onto your confidence. When you get that confidence, then nothing can stop you.”
Leopoulos said he was excited because he knew the clothes and shoes would help the students have more fun in their performances. He said it will help achieve a larger goal of helping students succeed in school, succeed in life and become part of a happier populace.
Bramlett received a certificate from Leopoulos for the $3,500 gift. She and a handful of students read “thank you” letters aloud during the reception. Every dance student at the two schools wrote a letter.
Craft congratulated the students and thanked Leopoulos for his generosity before the students capped off the reception with a performance.