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A War Orphan Who Became a Ballerina
Michaela DePrince is "the ballerina who flies." Orphaned at age three in
war-torn Sierra Leone, DePrince was malnourished and sick when she and her
"mat-mate" at the orphanage were adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince of New
Jersey. Inspired by a photograph of a ballerina in a magazine, DePrince trained
as a ballet dancer and is now with the Dance Theater of Harlem. "I think no
matter where you come from and what you've been through, having a loving family
and support is all you need to achieve your goals."
