Niawenkowa from Ms. Stella Ieronhioronkwas Thompson! 

Stella and her family would like to thank everyone who bid on a prize from our online auction to support her attendance at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City this summer!  We are so thankful and appreciative of all the awesome words of encouragement and support shown to her through this little auction.  Stella is the daughter of Mike Thompson and Danielle Lazore-Thompson and the granddaughter of Les & Elaine Thompson and of Beatrice Francis Lazore and the late Russell Lazore. 

Stella currently attends the Ottawa Dance Center Schools where she dances about 9 hours per week.  Stella is a graduate of AMBE’s Skawatsira Mohawk immersion program and she is now a 7th grade student at JW Leary Jr. High. She persevered over the last 2 years of the COVID pandemic, doing her classes remotely and practicing on her own in our small home dance space. She is now “en pointe”, which is a great achievement and testament to the excellent training she’s had thus far with her wonderful teachers.  

Joffrey is one of the pre-eminent dance schools in the United States and being selected to attend the summer program is a prestigious honor. This summer she’ll be studying ballet technique, pointe, variations, and partnering, as well as modern, contemporary ballet, contemporary, jazz, character, and more. The Summer Intensive culminates in a three-week rehearsal process that guides students from studio to stage, performing classical and contemporary works in a renowned New York City theater.  

A special thank you goes out to all who won items and who also made such generous donations! Niawenkowa Susan Rourke, Amy Lazore, Laurie LaPage, Guzzy Lazore, Rose Weckenmann, Tracie Back, Colleen Burns, Cheryl Jacobs, Darcy Powless, Leona Swamp, Mabel Garrow, Angela Elijah, Sharlann Diabo, Danielle Her Many Horses, Lisa Lang, Jim Ransom, Marisa Francis, FloAnne Burns, Nolan Thompson, Azalea Lazore, Tsiorasa Barreiro, Lorena Rivera, Owen Herne, Thomas Delormiere, and Joe Phillips. 

Love, 

Stella and her family