At Vibe, we believe leadership starts with compassion, connection, and a willingness to make a difference in the lives of others.
Through our annual scholarship program, we’re proud to recognize graduating Vibe members who are already creating meaningful impact within their communities while pursuing their educational goals.
Meet Kathleen Turner, one of our 2026 Vibe Scholarship recipients.
For Kathleen, community has always felt close to home.
Growing up in Clarkston, she found connection through school activities, local traditions, and the people who helped shape the community around her. But one place, in particular, became especially meaningful over the years: her dance studio.
Kathleen began dancing at eight years old after a friend invited her to a hip-hop class. What started as a fun activity quickly became a lasting passion. Over the next decade, the studio became more than a place to practice dance routines. It became a space where students from different schools, backgrounds, and experiences came together through a shared love of performing and learning.
As Kathleen grew as a dancer, she also grew into a leader.
After years of training and competing, she eventually stepped into a teaching role, working alongside the same instructors who once taught her. Today, she helps guide younger dancers through both technique and performance while encouraging them to build confidence, resilience, and determination along the way.
For Kathleen, teaching became unexpectedly life-changing.
Although working with children was not something she initially considered a strength, she quickly discovered how rewarding it could be to mentor younger students and help them find confidence in themselves. Watching dancers return year after year and seeing their passion continue to grow has become one of the most meaningful parts of her journey.
Kathleen believes the lessons learned through dance extend far beyond the studio walls. Through encouragement, perseverance, and support, students learn how to overcome challenges, trust themselves, and continue growing even after setbacks.
Most importantly, she hopes the love and encouragement she shares with younger dancers will continue to ripple forward for years to come, inspiring future students the same way her own teachers once inspired her.
This fall, Kathleen will attend Michigan State University, carrying with her a passion for leadership, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others to grow through community and connection.
Through every class she teaches and every student she encourages, Kathleen continues to show how powerful it can be to invest in the next generation.