Martha Claire Leach

Martha Claire Leach – North Carolina 
Nomination by Mara Campolungo
Photography by Brad Thompson with Alpha Prime Photography
Issue 57 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Martha Claire is an inspiring teen in every way. She is kind, compassionate, and selfless. Martha Claire gives her time and talents to children facing rare life altering illnesses without seeking recognition. She is committed, smart, astute and insightful channeling her intelligence and creativity in countless ways to serve and benefit children.  Recently, Martha Claire has taken her love and gift of dance pouring into differently abled dancers, currently playing a key role in bringing awareness to the importance of inclusion the community and world. Martha Claire is an inspiring teen that brings love and light to all she touches.

Photography by Brad Thompson with Alpha Prime Photography

​What should we know about you?
I have been blessed to have walked alongside the most special group of children over the last 10 years of my life. These children all with special needs and unique diagnoses have taught me that feeling loved, valued, and celebrated should be a right for all children including children who are not typically abled.
These special friends have become a big inspiration for me and I have enjoyed spending my childhood and teenage years pouring into such deserving children. In turn they have given back to me tenfold what I have given them. They are my hero’s!

Tell us more about this endeavor.
I began working with children with life altering diagnosis back in 2011 at the age of 7. My two older sisters were involved in working with The Sandbox a charity that locks arms with families of children with life altering illnesses and diagnosis and it became part of what our family did.
My mom and two older sisters helped me get started and Mara Campolungo the executive director and co-founder of The Sandbox always found and provided ways at my young age back then that I could help and make a difference for these children.

What exactly are you doing with these children?
Through the 10 years of being part of The Sandbox I was able to take my experience and love for helping and mentoring children and blend my passion and skills for a very unique dance program, A Chance To Dance. This program provides inclusive dance experiences for atypical children. In The Sandbox I have mentored children with life altering illness/diagnosis by doing special activities such as lunch dates, painting parties, Starbucks dates, and any other things to make them feel just like any other “normal kid.” The Sandbox has held a special prom each year for our honoree children called “An Evening of Believing” and for this event I would help my mentee select a special dress and help them get their hair and make up done, after which we walk the “Red Carpet” and dance the night away.
With A Chance To Dance I provide support, instruction, encouragement, and dance alongside them. I strive to give them every chance of an inclusive relationship with typically abled dancers. For me it’s about the relationship first and dance second.

Give an example of time spent with these children that you will always remember.
My most memorable time with The Sandbox is when my friend and fellow mentor and honoree Abby had me my sisters and few other Sandboxers over for a day of canvas painting. We made so many inspiring and beautiful canvas paintings that we were able to give to others in The Sandbox that needed extra love and encouragement.
My most memorable time spent with the children at A Chance To Dance is the experience we had together with DanceON Chicago , where we were part of a documentary short film to highlight our program. We made new friends and bonded even more than ever.

What do you feel is your strongest leadership quality when in this position?
My strongest leadership quality while serving these children is definitely “leading by example “ just being an attentive, approachable, reliable and loving person the children can rely on I feel is my best quality.

What do you have planned next for them?
For my dancers, I am excited to see them spread their wings this year and dance onstage independent of me. My dancers have made such huge strides over the last 4 years in their confidence and skills. They are ready to do this!! I plan to see them flourish!

Image by Catherine Leach

​Share your dance story with us.
What do you love most about dancing? I love sharing my love of dance with others. Not only do i lvoe dancing for myself but i love sharing my love of dance with others. When working with my students from A Chance To Dance it really just opens my eyes to how including dance is and how much it brings others that may not be exactly like you together.

What types of dance do you do and which is your favorite? Why?
I do contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and ballet. My favorite style of dance is contemporary because of the music and the freedom you have when dancing.

What do you think people who don't dance don't realize about dancers?
People don’t realize how much prep work and training goes into dance. Dancers are athletes and have to align their creativity and artistry alongside tremendous strength, agility, balance.

What is a favorite memory and/or accomplishment with dance?
My favorite accomplishment with dance is when I was awarded my very first choreography award this year with Endless Talent Dance Competition for a small group dance I created for A Chance To Dance. I was humbled and honored to receive this award.

Photography by Brad Thompson with Alpha Prime Photography

​What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
I am a very “under the radar” type of person. I do things solely from the heart and my gift in return is the love and appreciation from the children I work and spend special time with. I often do not receive recognition for the things I do but that’s ok by me because honestly, that is the last reason in the world why I choose to do what I do. I believe being humble, committed, and loyal to the causes you are passionate about are enough reward for me.

If you were to present a topic to a group of your peers, what would it be?
Our world without the conscious act of inclusion can make the atypical child feel worthless, unloved, and lonely. Through my time serving with The Sandbox Children’s Charity and A Chance To Dance, I see the importance of inclusion and impact it has for both typical and atypical children.
Imagine being excluded from countless childhood experiences and opportunities because of a disability/diagnosis. Without impressing the importance of inclusion within our community many will continue missing out on opportunities to make unique friendships with atypical children. My hope is the world will see we’re meant to be TOGETHER, we’re all “BETTER TOGETHER “.

Tell us more about The Sandbox Children’s Charity and A Chance To Dance.
The Sandbox as I mentioned earlier is a 501C3 charity that places focus on caring for children with life altering diagnosis and illness. The purpose of The Sandbox is to provide love, care, support for whatever the families may need 365 days a year. Whether they need emotional support, a listening ear, or someone to help as they are going through treatments or in the hospital with their child. I love the acronym Ms. Mara uses in The Sandbox it says everything, In The Sandbox we CARRE ( Caring About Real Relationships Empathetically). What I love most about The Sandbox is they have taught me that there is always hope even at the lowest part of your life. Keep believing , The Sandbox let’s kids and families know that they are loved, cared about, and never alone. I love that!

A Chance to Dance is a dance program specially created for the atypical child. In the program I have served as a volunteer leader, teacher, choreographer, and as someone who proudly dances alongside of them onstage. I attend regularly scheduled classes where I help nurture their love for dance while assisting the dancers in growing their confidence, self love, and dance skills. My goal is to get these children to the point that they always feel included and valued in whatever they are doing. What I love most about A Chance to Dance is the opportunity I have to spread awareness and the importance inclusion is to the atypical child’s social and emotional well being.

How did you find and why did you choose Brad Thompson with Alpha Prime Photography Charlotte, NC your photographer? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?

I found Brad Thompson through my mother who worked for several years with him. I chose Brad Thompson owner of Alpha Prime Photography because he takes great pride in his work and everything I’ve ever seen that he’s done is beautiful. I love to support small local entrepreneurs such as Alpha Prime Photography. My experience with Brad was fun, he always has an organic approach to his photoshoots and he allows me to be “me” during the process. What I loved most about my photoshoot with Brad was the quaint and charming location he chose to do my shoot.

Image by Teralyn Scotland

What is the hardest thing you have ever accomplished, and how did you do it?
The hardest thing I’ve ever accomplished is getting through my junior year with a 4.0 GPA. I made a concerted effort to dedicate time for studying and spending time with a tutor.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?
Stay focused, never give up even when times get tough. Believe you can do anything you want to.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
In five years, I see myself graduating from college with a major in health sciences and applying to graduate school.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?
My favorite pastime not mentioned in my nomination is thrifting, going to museums and finding quaint coffee shops.

Do you have a hidden talent?
 Yes. What is it? My hidden talent is creating new recipes in the kitchen.

3 Things on your bucket list
1. To go to Japan
2. Bungee Jumping
3. Cliff Diving

Who do you find inspiring?
Seeing people of different walks of life and backgrounds coming together for greater causes.

What about you inspires others/why do you think you are inspiring?
I think my passion for working with atypical children inspires others.

Look for Martha Claire in issue 57 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

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