Written By: the Parents of Clarissa Kowalski, SNTS Winner
Graphics By: Alice Sun, FCSN Voices Graphic Artist

Our daughter, Clarissa, 10-year-old, has a single passion— her love for aerial arts, dedicating three hours each day to practicing at home. Transitioning from practicing in our home to an external venue with other participants and judges was a huge step. FCSN made every part of that journey an incredible experience for her.

After participating in FCSN’s SNTS, Clarissa has started attending full-time public school for the first time, taking daily classes, and performing weekly at different venues. Before this, she was homeschooled and had never taken outside classes or performed publicly. Thanks to FCSN, Clarissa gained the confidence to compete, winning four trophies (previously she never competed), and tackle the challenges that a neurodivergent kid faces at public school. The only way any of this was possible was FCSN.

The support FCSN provided for her to participate, and get back into the world was miraculous. This was the first agency that made a difference in Clarissa’s life, our lives have changed completely from FCSN. We will be forever indebted to the wonderful organization that has given our daughter a fresh start!