With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
LA Diary: This Dance Major Watched Graduation On The Couch, But She's Staying On Her Toes
Cypress College dance major Kylie Christensen on graduation day outside her home. (Courtesy Kylie Christensen)
We're collecting audience stories about what it's like to live in Los Angeles during a pandemic. You can share your story here.
It was tough when Cypress College dance major Kylie Christensen got the news from administrators that her community college would not have an in-person commencement ceremony for the first time in more than half a century.
"I went downstairs and I was crying to my dad, telling him that this isn't fair, and I've worked so hard for this and now I'm not going to get the recognition that I want to and anything like that."
Sponsored message
A childhood photo of Cypress College dance major Kylie Christensen with her mother, Susie Christensen. (Courtesy Kylie Christensen)
Her mother, Susie, died 10 years ago.
"When I was about 3 years old, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. And then she was able to overcome it. And she was in remission for about eight years. And then after that she got diagnosed again. I was 11 when she passed away. And that was a really tough time for me because I was kind of right at the point where I was getting ready to start kind of growing into myself."
Christensen sang and danced and when she started high school, and earned a spot with the Los Alamitos High School show choir. She joined the group for performances at Lincoln Center and the Grand Ole Opry.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Sponsored message
But all that changed at when she met Maha Afra, the chair of Cypress College's dance department. Christensen said Afra showed her that dance was her true calling.
"She was born in Lebanon.... she gave us the opportunity to learn more cultural styles that I personally had never really been able to experience ...one of those favorites was Middle Eastern, and that was her culture."
Cypress College dance major Kylie Christensen (left) with dance professor Maha Afra. (Courtesy Kylie Christensen)
"It really saddens me that I didn't really get to spend the last couple months with all of my classmates. Because being in dance classes, you get really close with people because dance can be very vulnerable sometimes."
When it came time to watch the commencementlast Friday, her dad and her boyfriend were with her. The long ceremony made her think of the people who'd helped her along the way.
"Going through this it has made me as well as my peers so much stronger and I think it's helped us be a little bit more equipped for our future ahead of us."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
