Carrie Dianda McCoid "Teacher Carrie"
Carrie coached cheerleading and taught dance classes for over 15 years throughout the Santa Cruz community. Her lifelong dream came true when she became the proud owner of Steps Dance Studio where she continued to teach until her untimely passing in October 2012. Her legacy continues to grow as her students, teachers, friends and family share her love of dance with others.
She was so loved by all who had the honor of knowing her, she was that special someone to so many people.
She was gifted, talented, smart charismatic, funny AND beautiful. One of her favorite sayings was, “believe in yourself and all things are possible”. She was a leader, not a follower, a healer, a true friend, a mentor, a teacher, a loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, wife and more, but what she loved most in life was being a mother.
So few people ever live and love as she did. To simply say she will be missed would be an understatement of great magnitude and vast proportion. She was the best of all of us in one very special package, her gifts too many to name and far too great to ever forget.
Carrie's Dream
Carrie's Dream Dance Scholarship Fund was founded in 2014 as a tribute to Carrie Dianda McCoid. Carrie had a dream that all the students in our community who wanted to dance would be given that opportunity, regardless of their financial circumstances. Carrie envisioned a collaborative annual dance showcase that would allow the community to come together to raise money for the benefit of aspiring dancers. For many dancers their dance studio is their home away from home; dance is the thing they are most proud of. Dancing requires teamwork, leadership, dedication, physical and mental training as well as passion and perseverance- all immensely valuable skills that help keep our youth on the path to success in life. The value of these things cannot be measured in dollars and cents, but it takes just that to give these students those opportunities.
Carrie's Dream is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This project was created to expand and provide dance scholarships for students 18 and under in the Santa Cruz County community who otherwise would not have the opportunity and resources to dance. Scholarship applications are available in the spring of each year to students of Santa Cruz County dance studios and dance teams that participate in the annual showcase.
