Autumn Hellens

Story 2: The Breaths

Up. Down. Around. Up. Down. Around. “Your feet need to be pointed when they are not on the ground. This is not elementary level. You will perform well, or you will not make it”. Words spoken by the one and only Cynthia Conley. My raw talent got me my career during my time at The Academy of the Arts in Illinois. I dedicate this speech to stubborn old Conley, her meter stick, and to the academy students that doubted me. I became the best, because she was the only one who never just allowed me to quit. The stubbornness, embarrassment, and the talk were all worth it.