Patel Conservatory student gives back

When most kids think spring break, they think beaches, sleeping late and video games. Patel Conservatory student Lilly Strieder has other plans.

Strieder in The Nutcracker in Dec., 2010

While other kids will be lounging around and roaming the mall, Lilly will be spending the next two weeks with fellow students from Indian Rocks Christian School on a mission to Thailand.

Lilly and her classmates (and four chaperones) will be delivering school and arts supplies and helping teach a sports camp for under-privileged kids at the Mercy School near the Laos border. Lilly was one of 15 students chosen to attend the mission organized by her school.

“The trip is a cultural exchange,” explained Susan Strieder. “They want to represent American youth in the best light possible.”

One of Lilly’s inspirations for wanting to go on the trip was her tap teacher, Susan Downey. Over Christmas break, Lilly performed with Downey’s tap students performed at Metropolitan Ministries, one of the Patel Conservatory’s Community Partners.

“Seeing all the students volunteer their free time really meant to a lot to her,” said Susan, Lilly’s mother.

Lilly spends six days a week at the Patel Conservatory, taking tap, ballet and voice, commuting from Indian Rocks Beach. She wanted to participate with this particular mission so she can pass along the things she’s learned here to underprivileged kids in another part of the world.

She'll be teaching dance and singing to the Thai kids in the sports camp. “It’s a wonderful opportunity. I’m looking forward to giving them some of the things I’ve been given,” she said.


After their mission, on the way back, the group will be stopping in China and climbing the Great Wall. “I’m looking forward to seeing other cultures. It’s a completely different world over there," she said.

We’re thrilled to have our students sharing their love of the performing arts! Kudos to Lilly for giving her time and talent, and warm wishes to her and her classmates for a safe trip!