A Community Like No Other

 In Dellos

I looked out into a crowd of loving faces as I stumbled through sentences and tried to find the right words to help express my gratitude for being invited once again to participate in our community’s 5th annual, “Dance of Hope”. Who would have known that a momentary eye contact and brief interlude with one of Chino Hill’s High School’s young dancers would change my life forever?

In July of 2005, the newly selected CHHS Dance Team anxiously crowded around the Dellos-Walnut studio’s lobby to sign in for their first jazz class. Amidst a chatter of anticipation, excitement and laughter, a petite blonde dancer made her way to the front of the line, captivating me with her crooked little smile and penetrating sky-blue eyes. Finding her charming and delightful, I introduced myself and said, “You are so cute! I LOVE your haircut!” The room went completely quiet for a moment and then back to giggles & squeals. Weeks later I found out that Karla Asch-Rosen had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a recently diagnosed cancerous brain tumor. The ‘fuzzy, short blonde hair style’ was actually Karla’s re-growth after complete hair loss. Never once that summer did Karla complain or expect to be treated any differently than any of her teammates. The saying, “You can see a person’s soul through their eyes” was so true of Karla. And what a beautiful and generous soul she had.

The first “Dance of Hope” was created by Karla, in May of 2005. Her intention and goal was to bring our community together through dance by raising money, not for herself, but for Cancer Research. Weeks before her February 2006 passing, one of her private journal entries shared her dream of ‘continuing the annual event to help other ill children and teens of the community’. Karla yearned to see the CHHS-based dance program succeed, and the annual coming together of our community for her cause has exemplified Karla’s foresight. What one might consider as across-town rivals, local junior high, high schools, colleges and private dance studios are all brought under one roof, working together to raise money for the same purpose and cause.

The powerful affect of a single young girl’s life on an entire community is evident as we see how Karla has changed our residents forever. Each spring, dozens of small businesses come together, contributing food, programs, flowers, gifts, video services, and talent. The generous proceeds benefit two hand-selected community families whose children are stricken with life-threatening illnesses. A past “Dance of Hope” recipient, Rebecca Gillman, who was diagnosed with a rare brain vasculitus disease, was honored a few years ago with our community’s outpouring support. Rhonda Gillman, Rebecca’s mother shared, “We moved to Chino Hills 19 years ago. By the looks and size of the community now and the people here, I guess it shows we had good taste!” Her eyes filled with tears as she thanked the community for their financial generosity and prayers, and for honoring her daughter in Karla’s memory.

Last year Townsend Junior High’s Krystina Franchino and Chino Hills High’s Amanda Gervaise, were awarded prestigious all-inclusive, one-year “KAR Artistic Dance Scholarships’, provided by The Dellos Studios. They recently gave up their titles to this year’s awardees, Kacie Finneran from Townsend and Veronica Edera from Chino Hills. The scholarships in Karla’s name carry the message of ‘hope’ and are a reminder of one young girl’s unselfish giving back to her community. Dellos Studios are proud and honored to be a part of the caring and generous Chino Valley community, proven to be unlike any other.

Recent Posts