The Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship, held at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, has announced this year’s recipients: Gemma Campbell, age 17, and Kassandra Lessi, age 16. Normally there is only one scholarship recipient, but this year the applicants were of such high caliber that the scholarship committee decided to award two scholarships. The scholarships will provide support for the two dancers to attend summer intensive ballet training programs.
When asked to reflect on why the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship was created, Bill Thoma shared “When Jennifer passed from her illness I wanted to honor her, and we had talked about setting up a scholarship before she got sick. So, I knew what her love and passion was in her heart. We started a scholarship through The Community Foundation, with my son and daughter, to celebrate Jennifer, and to give young dancers the same experiences that our daughter had experienced as a young dancer.”
San Luis Obispo resident Gemma Campbell trains at Ballet Theatre of San Luis Obispo and was recommended by Theresa Slobodnik. “Gemma has become a consummate performer, acclaimed as well beyond her 17 years” said Slobodnik. Campbell was cast as in the principle role of Gerda in the world premiere of “The Snow Queen” this past winter. Campbell believes that she best represents Jennifer Thomas’s qualities of responsibility and reliability. This scholarship will allow her to attend the Joffrey Academy of Dance Summer Intensive in Chicago.
Kassandra Lessi of Templeton has studied dance at SLO Movement Arts Center and performed in such productions as “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Carnival of the Animals” and “Arrival.” Owner Director Ryan Lawrence cited that her success is due to not only her ample talent but “primarily to her determination and drive, her grit.” Lessi will be attending the prestigious Ellison Ballet summer program in New York, where she said she will “be honored to represent Jennifer Thoma and carry on her love for dance!”
“My wife is watching down from heaven and smiling for these deserving young ladies and encouraging those that were not selected to apply again and work hard to get there themselves” said Thoma.
About the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship
The scholarship is named after Jennifer Thoma, a longtime San Luis Obispo resident who passed away from cancer in 2012. After her death, her husband, Bill Thoma of Thoma Electric, and their two children, Jeff and Jessica, established the scholarship in Jennifer’s name to honor her passion for dance. Friends and peers of Jennifer were on the judging committee. The scholarship has been awarded to eight dancers since 2012.
Additional information about the Jennifer Thoma Memorial Ballet Scholarship is available online at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County website, www.cfsloco.org or by contacting Scholarship Program Associate Angela Hollander at 805-543-2323.
About The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is celebrating 20 years of impact in San Luis Obispo County. Since 1998, The Foundation has supported San Luis Obispo County with more than 4,800 grants and 950 scholarships totaling more than $30 million. The Foundation’s assets under management have grown to nearly $60 million and provide support to all aspects of our community in perpetuity. For more information or to donate to any fund or establish a new fund, visit www.cfsloco.org or call 805-543-2323.