JCA Students Create 'Huggables'

Three Joliet Catholic Academy seniors have combined their love of dance with giving back to the community each week.

Channahon’s Kelsie Chasten, Julia Malinowski and Shorewood’s Carley Serena have volunteered through a local organization, Shorewood HUGS, from the beginning in 2008.

Chasten, Malinowski and Serena have participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Easter Egg Hunt as well as wrapping gifts at Christmas for area women’s shelters and taking part in the , raising funds for wishes in the community.

This year, Chasten, Malinowski and Serena co-founded a Junior Hugs division for teens by starting a dance program for girls with Down syndrome called the “Huggables.”

As leaders of the “Huggables,” Chasten, Malinowski and Serena meet each week to play the next class, create dances, cut their own music, organize the costumes and find special stickers and awards to give to the girls.

The hard work of starting this program has been very rewarding.

Speaking as a group, Chasten, Malinowski and Serena said: “The time, patience and energy put into working with the girls does not compare to what we have gained in returned. While we have been teaching them ballet, they have been teaching us to appreciate the little things in life. We now have a greater compassion for people with disabilities.”

In the future, Chasten, Malinowski and Serena hope to the take the girls to a real dance competition, perhaps in the spring, so they know what it feels like to dance on a big stage and receive an award in such a setting.

Chasten is the daughter of Steven and Kellie, Malinowski is the daughter of Daniel and Laura and Serena is the daughter of Joseph and Heidi.