“My true passion throughout my life has been dance,” said Olivia Perez, who recently graduated from Webster University with a degree in media communications. “I am blessed to already work in multiple avenues in the dance world right out of college.”
Perez currently works at a contemporary-modern company called Consuming Kinetics Dance Company (CKDC), where she is a resident choreographer, educator and administrator. She also teaches dance at MJ Performing Arts Academy LLC and St. Louis Academy of Dance, and at Variety the Children’s Charity.
“One of my newest administrative roles is to edit the videos that go on CKDC’s YouTube page, so I am very excited to use some of the skills that I learned in school within the dance world,” Perez said. “I plan to continue pursuing my dance career for the time being, and in the further future I hope to incorporate film and video into my choreographic endeavors.”
The Eureka High School graduate became Webster University’s first recipient of the Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholarship in 2013, named for Donald M. Suggs, president of the St. Louis American Foundation and publisher of The St. Louis American.
“Receiving the scholarship brought me lots of pride for being the first one to win this award. It is an absolute honor to be connected to the legacy of Dr. Donald M. Suggs, who is a fantastic role model for academic achievement and philanthropy in education and the arts,” Perez said.
“Because of some unexpected financial setbacks during my college career, the scholarship allowed me to finish school when it would not have been possible otherwise. It meant that I had an opportunity to be an example and a leader among my peers and to my younger sister, Maria.”
The Suggs Scholarship is designed to increase the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students who typically are underrepresented at institutions of higher education. In addition to Webster University, Suggs Scholarships are awarded to students attending the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis Community College, Maryville University, Fontbonne University and Washington University.
Elizabeth Stroble, Webster University president, said Perez was a very competitive candidate for the Suggs Scholarship because of her exceptional academic accomplishments and strong record of leadership and service while at Eureka High School.
“As a Webster student, Olivia has set the bar high for all Suggs Scholars,” Stroble said. “Not only did she hold exceptional leadership positions as student ambassador and Gorlok Guide, but she also excelled by completing her bachelor’s degree in less than four years total. Olivia is a star. We look forward to following her successes as a Webster alum.”
Perez noted that Webster’s Suggs Scholars have a strong, unique bond.
“That element of connection is important to me because is imperative for college students of color to stick together,” she said. “Seeing the award being continued to other students like me makes me very happy and hopeful that even just a few more students will have a network of people who understand them.”
Perez describes her educational experiences at Webster as very connected, community-oriented, globally focused and eye-opening.
“The School of Communications offers many great networking, job and study opportunities,” Perez said. “Some of my friends have gone on to great internships and jobs because of opportunities Webster lead them to. I even got to go to Los Angeles in early 2016 to meet some Webster alums working in the industry out there, which was really a memorable and helpful experience.”
