I gladly take any opportunity I can to brag about the Sabaya dancers. I could go on about each of the dancer's unique styles, personalities and dance achievements but because of a timely event happening this month for Stacey Lizette, I offer up an exclusive snapshot of her dedication to the art form.On Wednesday, April 8, Stacey Lizette will be honored by the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Texas as a finalist for the 2008 Texas Blazing Star Award. She achieved this recognition through her double life as a certified IT Project Manager in the day and a bellydance leader in the evening and weekends. She has been an active member of the non-profit Austin Bellydance Association for the past 14 years, a member of Sabaya Bellydance Collective for the past 5 years, a dedicated student of Suhaila Salimpour for the past 9 years, a teacher for the past 4 years and has recently taken over the reigns as sponsor for the Austin Bellydance Convention, an annual event that brings dancers from across the US to Austin. These accumulated achievements have given her the opportunity to support various local communities by performing in support of charities and cultural events and through teaching women of all ages the power and fitness of Middle Eastern Dance.In all of her work, as an IT Project Manager, dancer, sponsor, and dance instructor, Stacey exercises the professional values of communication, prioritization, and positivity. She communicates to alleviate misperceptions and heighten awareness about the art form. She facilitates a positive attitude in herself and in others, which is especially important due to the demanding physical coordination and self-image challenges addressed in belly dance. By exemplifying these core philosophies, Stacey has become a role model and mentor for many dancers in the Austin community. I can attest to the fact that nearly every evening after work and most weekends, one can find Stacey either teaching, organizing dance events, working on costumes or rehearsing. In essence, her life is a delicate balance of two full time pursuits and I congratulate Stacey on her well-deserved recognition by the Women's Chamber of Commerce as a Texas Blazing Star finalist.
