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Hi! My name is Larissa, and I’m a 22-year-old dancer from Brazil currently finishing my senior year at the University of South Florida. But getting here wasn’t easy.
I was diagnosed with lupus as a teenager — an autoimmune disease that changed my life and made every day a battle. On top of that, I had to undergo chemotherapy for six months before even stepping into college. But through it all, dance was my light, my strength, and my hope.
Despite the obstacles, I worked hard, applied for scholarships, and made the impossible possible: I left Brazil and came to the United States to pursue my dream of studying dance. And I didn’t come this far to stop now.
This past summer, I was awarded a scholarship to travel to Paris, where I had the honor of dancing for a renowned choreographer — something that showed me just how far my dedication and passion could take me. These experiences have shaped not only who I am but what I want to give back.
My dream is bigger than just dancing for myself. After I establish myself as a professional artist, I want to create a dance company that tours "second-hand" or overlooked countries — places where access to the arts is limited — to inspire others and show that dreams have no borders. And I want to create a scholarship specifically for Brazilian students to study dance and theatre at USF, so they can have the same life-changing experiences I’ve had.
Right now, I am so close to the next step: applying for OPT (Optional Practical Training), which would allow me to stay in the U.S. for one more year after graduation, gain professional experience, and begin building this dream. But I am facing one more challenge — I cannot afford the OPT fee.
I’ve worked as hard as I can, and I’m not someone who gives up easily. But I can’t do this alone. Any help, big or small, would mean the world to me. It’s not just about paying a fee — it’s about continuing this journey and planting seeds for others to follow.
If you support me, you’re not just helping one dancer. You’re helping build a future where art crosses borders and creates opportunities for others like me who just need a chance.
Thank you for believing in me and being part of this dream.
With all my heart,
Larissa
Organizer
