Former homeless teen overcomes life struggles with elegant grace
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Bre'Monyaa Jones says every dance movement she makes is an expression of her story — a way for her to convey her life's journey.
"I feel like when I dance I'm trying to show you what I've been through — like I'm stronger," Jones said. "I just feel like it just shows how passionate I am, how nothing can break me down. Sometimes I feel like I have to cry because I'm doing so good."
Those tears of joy have been well-earned. Jones has endured obstacles in life few will ever experience.
At just 17, she's been homeless, attended nearly 20 different schools, couch surfed and has helped raise her autistic 8-year-old sister Rose.
'I just love what I do'
Jones found her passion for dancing at 7. This discovery changed her life.
With her father largely absent, and her mother in financial flux, dance gave her a reprieve from the difficult reality she and her four sisters faced.
"When I dance, all my problems, all my issues go away," she said. "I don't think about anything besides dance. So I just love what I do."
Inspired by her older sister Courtlyn, Jones began dancing for Evansville-based Boom Squad Inc., a nonprofit drum line and majorette dance team.
Uniform Assistant Shannon Monten said the organization began in a local church 17 years ago. And with the support of Boom Squad's organizers, Monten said, nearly 90 percent of participants have graduated high school, with many going on to college and trade school.
Jones said joining the majorette team helped her overcome her insecurities and build a strong sense of self-assurance.
"The confidence that it gives me, that's what I love about dancing," Jones said. "When I'm dancing, I don't really have to be ashamed about how I look because the whole crowd is cheering for me.
"Growing up, I was real insecure about my size. And dance made me feel more open about it, more passionate about what I do," she added.
Boom Squad's impact
Her time with Boom Squad was briefly interrupted when Jones and her family moved to Atlanta. But when they moved back to the Tri-State three years ago, she was right back where she left off. But this time, Jones said, she was even more committed to the dance team.
Boom Squad Dance Coach Ahmeisha Flemming, who has been a part of the nonprofit for 15 years, said she and other coaches pushed Jones to adjust her attitude, prompting Jones' growth as a dancer and person.
In the Boom Squad, Jones found stability and, in time, an extended family between her teammates and coaches. This stability was needed during the time she and her mother had a strained relationship, and Jones had nowhere to stay. Boom Squad organizers and coaches offered their support, she said.
Jones said Monten has been like a second mother to her.
Since meeting Jones nearly a year ago, Monten said she's bought Jones clothes, shoes and given her a place to stay while Jones' mother was looking for a house in Henderson.
"She helped me with everything," Jones said of Monten. "If it wasn't for Ms. Shannon, I wouldn't have had a place to live. And she taught me to always go for what I believe in and don't let nobody tell me different."
'Determined to graduate'
Monten said Jones deserves all she's helped give the girl.
"Bree is an amazing young lady," Monten said. "She is far more responsible than a lot of people who are supposed to be grown. Bree is going to go places in life. I always use her as an example to my own son. This child has literally lived from couch to couch and is still determined to graduate, look good and do whatever she needs to."
After Jones graduates from Central Academy in Henderson, she intends on majoring in business at Simmons College of Kentucky, a private historically black college in Louisville, and open her own dance studio.
She wants to give young dancers the confidence and support she needed when she was younger.
"I'd want to make them work as one, so when we all start dancing we can work and not have a (dancer) lag in the back because nobody wants to help them out," she said. "I want everybody to feel they can be where everybody else is."