Kendall DeShong ’28 promotes cognitive growth in kids through dance

Kendall DeShong ’28, a political science and public policy major from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, has built a community service initiative, Growth through Movement, from a deeply personal place. Drawn to Gettysburg for its strong sense of community and its emphasis on leadership and service, she found at the College an environment that encouraged her to connect her passions with meaningful action.

With 15 years of dance and three years of teaching experience, DeShong began to notice a clear connection between movement and cognitive development in the children she worked with. The progress she observed in her students—and the discipline, focus, and creativity she gained from dance herself—sparked the idea for her initiative.

“If I were going to advocate for anything that personally impacted me, dance was a no-brainer,” she said.

DeShong believes dance plays a critical role in children’s development because it engages both the body and the mind. Beyond physical movement, dance requires memorization, discipline, creativity, and self-expression.

“When children are put into this environment, they are not only working on their behavioral skills, but they are using their minds,” she explained. She has seen firsthand how this combination helps children strengthen their focus and self-control—skills that carry over into the classroom and other areas of life.

“If I were going to advocate for anything that personally impacted me, dance was a no-brainer.”
– Kendall DeShong ’28

Although still in its early stages, Growth through Movement has already reached dozens of children through advocacy efforts, school events, and free dance classes. DeShong has focused not only on getting children into studios but also on raising awareness through social media and community outreach.

In March 2025, she led a dance station at Conewago Valley Intermediate School’s Mini Thon. In June 2025, she partnered with The Edge Dance Complex in Hanover, Pennsylvania, to host her first free dance class, welcoming more than 36 children of all experience levels, including participants with physical and learning disabilities.

Removing financial and accessibility barriers is central to her mission. By offering free programming and collaborating with schools and studios, she ensures that all children— regardless of background—have the opportunity to participate. Parents and teachers have shared enthusiastic feedback, often noting improvements in children’s confidence, discipline, and ability to focus.

“When children are able to focus in a highly active environment, they also have an easier time focusing in a calm environment like school,” she said.

DeShong credits Gettysburg College with helping her transform her ideas into action. Through connections across campus and throughout the town, she found mentors and supporters who helped shape and implement Growth through Movement. At Gettysburg, she is also participating in the Guided Pathways, which encourages students to explore their interests and connect academic learning with experiential opportunities. Courses such as her first-year seminar, How Change Happens, strengthened her confidence in public speaking and project implementation while developing the leadership skills she now uses to advocate for dance and collaborate with community partners.

As she continues her work, DeShong hopes to expand Growth through Movement to additional studios and communities across Adams County, Pennsylvania. Dance, she says, will always be part of her life—and she is committed to ensuring its benefits reach as many children as possible.

“Because dance is so beneficial to children’s development, I believe everyone should have the opportunity to dance,” she said.

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By Awa Diop ’29
Photos provided by Kendall DeShong ’28
Posted: 02/04/26