By Kaity Gage, special media projects editor

Junior Sydney Davis and her eighth grade sister Megan, two of Saegertown’s dancers, have just been given an enormous opportunity that they cannot turn down.

After their performance in Allegro Dance Arts production of “The Nutcracker,” Sydney and Megan were asked if they would like to go to Pittsburgh to train at West Point Ballet. West Point Ballet is owned by Cynthia Castillo and Damien Martinez. The couple are renowned artists who have danced with the National Ballet of Cuba, Florida Classical Ballet, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre just to name a few.

“We are really excited that they have decided to take that step. We believe that this will be the best chance for them to achieve their dreams and goals as ballet dancers,” said Martinez.

Since Pittsburgh is not where the sisters live, they will be staying with Castillo and Martinez during the week and will come home on the weekends. “Hopefully it will be smooth sailing. I don’t think it will be difficult having them living with us,” said Martinez.  

While they are away, the sisters will not be able to be at the high school, but they will still be doing all of their work. The plan is for them to do a program that involves them coming to school every Monday where they will collect work from their teachers to finish over the week.

Sydney and Megan are both thrilled to be going to Pittsburgh for this amazing opportunity. “I’m super excited. It’s like if a major baseball star asked someone from Saegertown to come live and train with them. It’s the equivalent of that.” said Sydney.

Megan is hoping that this experience will help her reach her dreams. “I would love to be a professional ballerina in a professional company. This opportunity would help me achieve this because my teachers have already been in a company and they have amazing experience in the ballet world, so they could help me prepare for the future.”

Overall, this training will help both girls accomplish their goals. “They are very committed and we are happy to have them with us,” said Martinez.