The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Cassandra Kurek, a 2024 recipient of the Daryl E. Stucky Memorial Scholarship award and one of the two Kevin A. Binau Scholarship awards.
Cassandra, the daughter of Edward Kurek and Karissa Kurek, is a 2024 graduate of Wynford High School. She will be attending Ohio Northern University this fall and studying Musical Theatre.
What inspired you to choose your intended major?
"The arts have provided me with lifelong skills, experiences, and memories that have changed my life, which is why I plan to become a theatre educator and inspire the next generation of performers and leaders. Before I auditioned for my first show in 2012, I was terrified of people. I could not even imagine performing on a stage. If theatre had not taken me out of my comfort zone, I would not have the skills I possess today. Beyond overall confidence and public speaking skills, the arts have given me a family where I can always express myself and my feelings. When looking towards my future, I knew I wanted to be involved in the arts in some capacity, but it was not until I started choreographing for the Mansfield Youth Theatre in 2022 that I found my passion for teaching. Since then, I have had the opportunity to choreograph around Ohio. I plan to utilize what I have learned since performing at the age of six to produce our next generation of performers."
What are your career and life goals after you graduate?
"My long-term goal is to run a youth theatre program that fosters growth and creativity for those of all abilities. Whether it is implementing sensory-friendly performances, working to provide scholarships for arts camps, or offering after-school programs, my passion is to make the arts available to everyone. After I obtain my Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, I plan to obtain my Master's in Education. My goal is to introduce current books in the classroom that will spark conversations and engage teens. With Language Arts and theatre, there is a crossover between written works, creativity, and self-expression. This will give me the opportunity to integrate the arts into a core subject and provide those not directly involved in the arts with an introduction. Whether it is analyzing a script, comparing musical/book adaptations, or working on creative writing skills, I am excited to bring the arts to life in the classroom."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Cassandra!
To learn more about the scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships
