Sport
3 December, 2024
Leni gets boost from Lions Club
An aspiring Ballarat dancer with strong links to Maryborough has received a boost from the Maryborough Lions Club, receiving $3000 to help fund a move to the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne for 2025.
Leni Howlett has emerged as a talented young dancer from the Kerry Moore School of Ballet in Ballarat, with her mother, Jacqui Allan, and father, Roger Howlett, growing up in Maryborough, while grandparents Murray and Irene Allan, and Cheryl Howlett, still reside in Maryborough.
Leni completed an intensive week at the Australian Ballet School in order to be considered for a full-time training program. She was invited to their finals week in August, and was successful in joining their Level four Female Program for 2025.
It is understood only four other girls in Australia has been offered this opportunity.
Leni has put together a strong ballet resume, which includes the Cecchetti Young Dancer Award in 2023, the Alana Haines Australasian Awards junior winner in 2023 from 117 entrants, a Cecchetti Medal winner in Rose, Bronze and Silver sections, a finalist in the Robert and Elizabeth Albert Scholarship Final held within the Sydney Opera House, and a finalist in the Australian Ballet School Awards in 2023, among other achievements.
The Maryborough Lions Club held a board and general meeting recently, considering a letter written by Leni and the Howlett family, with her achievements over the last 10 years presenting an irresistable case to cover equipment and stationary costs.
Local Lions Club member Claire Hepper was also a dancer at the Kerry Moore School of Ballet, helping Leni as a guest artist in recitals, which further enhanced Leni’s cause.