Karis Pendleton

Hi!!!!!!! I am back as promised with some exciting news!! As you all know, I’ve been debating on where to train for ballet this year,

…. I have finally made the decision …..with the approval of my parents of course 😅. But before I spill the “tea”, let me tell you how we got here….

Overwhelmed with emotions, I announced to my parents, on my way home from New York, that I just didn’t want to go back….😭 I told them that though I’m so grateful for the opportunity, I just couldn’t go back to New York for a 2nd year. As much fun as I had, being in New York, I had a ton of anxiety from the fast pace city and missing my family. I just couldn’t see myself returning for another year. I also felt I was spiritually uncomfortable and disconnected in a way I hadn’t felt before. My parents listened and comforted me. We leaned on the wisdom of my mentor to help think about various dance school options that might be closer. I also did a ton of praying and ended up coming to the conclusion I would audition for 4 main schools and if all else fails I would return to New York and work through my anxiety and homesickness. I’m grateful because the ballet director at Joffrey understood and helped me navigate and suggested I keep Joffrey as my backup plan and she STILL offered me a FULL scholarship if I didn’t go to a different dance school closer to home. This decision to possibly leave Joffrey was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.

I felt sad because I knew how much my family sacrificed for me to be in NYC for the year. I also felt like I’d be letting everyone down if I left. I also didn’t want to seem like I was “chickening out”. Part of me felt like I should suck it up and just deal with my emotions, especially since I was on a HUGE scholarship at Joffrey. Honestly, I grew tremendously as a ballet dancer this past year and my teachers and I bonded. They truly loved me.

Talking to my parents really helped me process all of this. I knew I had their full support with whatever decision I made. Most importantly they told me I need to do what’s best for me and not worry about what other people might think. I’m forever grateful that I had the honor of living in New York with my aunt Myxy for this past year and I got to dance at a wonderful dance institution on a FULL scholarship. I grew so much as a person and dancer. Being there opened my eyes up to so much more. I had so many amazing and priceless experiences that I will cherish forever. 💖🎉

Once I finally allowed myself to consider other dance schools, I got incredibly nervous and excited. My mentor told me to look into American Ballet Theater (ABT), Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB), and The Washington Ballet. I researched and auditioned for all of these schools and I felt confident and hopeful but the more I learned about CPYB I fell in LOVE with all the school had to offer!!!!

The training, in my opinion, at CPYB is impeccable. Their alumni list shows the success of the program. They consistently produce amazing ballerinas and prima ballerinas all over the world. In addition they offer cross training, various therapies, and academic school life balance. So, for me, CPYB became my first choice. Not wanting to get my hopes up I kept my options open.

By early August I found out that I not only got into the main three schools I auditioned for but while I was at my intensives I caught the eye of Dallas Ballet Conservatory, Houston Ballet, and University of North Carolina School of the Arts! Now this for me was confirmation from the Lord that leaving Joffrey was the right move because as I let one opportunity go, God graciously opened up many more opportunities for me, even my hearts desire CPYB. 🥹🥹🥹

After a lot of thinking and praying I decided to accept a an Ambassador scholarship which covers 50% percent of my tuition to train at CPYB!!!!!!!!! I am beyond excited about what this year has to offer. I feel like this year is going to be amazing.

One of the benifits of me going to CPYB is I get to go to a public HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!! As much as I LOVE dance and homeschooling, I miss getting to do things that my friends get to do, like going to public school. So the fact that I get to go to public school and still get stellar dance training is such a privilege. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾☺️☺️☺️ The way my schedule works is, I attend school from 8am to 1pm and then dance from 3pm-9pm!! The one thing I miss about NYC is walking to get from one place to the next. Well…..God blessed that where I live in PA I get to walk everywhere!!!! My host family lives less than a mile from my school and dance studio, which is so amazingggggg.😉😜 Don’t worry I’m not walking by myself!! My host family lives near my dance friends and we get to walk together each day!!

My host family is phenomenal, I love them so much!!! I feel so at home with them. They have a dog and she’s my bestie and they grow their own vegetables as have a man made pond in their back yard with fish!! My host family grows tomatoes, beets, peppers and so much more. My host mom made a homemade tomato sauce this week and it was so amazing!!!!! I love that they eat pretty organic, it reminds me of home. 💞✨

I kinda got ahead of myself I forgot to mention School started this past Tuesday. I’m officially a High Schooler and I love it!!!!!! I’m taking Honors Bio, Honors English, Honors US history, French 1 and 10th grade Geometry!! I think my favorite class is Honors Biology. In Bio we get to do labs which I’m super excited about !!!! I have friends in 3 of my classes which is nice because when we start to do group projects we can be partners. 💖💖💖💖💖

Dance starts next week and I am looking forward to telling you all about it!

If any of you are interested in sending care packages, helping with dance support, or being pen pals please feel free Zelle me at karispendleton@icloud.com or text me or my mom. We’d be happy to send you my mailing address. 😉💕.

Thank you all for your endless love and support, it’s truly an honor to share my journey with each and everyone of you. Love you bunches🌸❤️🙌🏾

Next big show is the Nutcracker. Let me know if you can attend. https://cpyb.org/george-balanchines-the-nutcracker/

Before I moved to PA, I got to spend some special time with my brother and my cousins. Here are some of the pictures of our time together. In addition I thought I’d share my mom moving me into my new town 🙂