• Dora Ivkovich, pictured center right, teaching students some moves. Photo courtesy of Zoran Ivkovich

OKEMOS - A local high school student is working to make a difference in the community through dance.

Dora Ivkovich, 14, a junior at Okemos High School as well as a competitive ballroom dancer, launched A Chance to Dance this fall, a project aimed towards teaching young people with physical disabilities how to dance.

Dora says that she was inspired to create the program when she saw a couple at a competition which included a woman in a wheelchair. She had never seen this before, and thought she could use this technique to help those with physical disabilities, particularly those of high school age, to participate in social gatherings, such as Homecoming or Prom.

The first meeting was held on October 6th, and Dora taught participants some simple dance techniques, for fast and slow dancing.

Chance to Dance is free of charge to participants, and relies on donations and support from local businesses to ensure the project's continuation. The project has already attracted the attention and support of Mick Grewel of Grewel Law PLLC, a local attorney who has offered legal advice as well as generous financial support.

Dora was pleased with the turnout for the first meeting, and hopes to expand the project beyond Mid-Michigan, to statewide and beyond.

The next meeting will be Saturday, December 1st. More dates will be announced in January 2019.

Those interested in getting involved can contact info@chance2dance.org for more information.