From Dancer to Doctor
Campus Times
October 11, 1996
Senior Amy Levy, a chemistry major works as a teacher's assistant
in the Chemistry Department. In addition to her busy chemistry career,
Levy also has danced professionally, is a member of Sigma Kappa sorority
and is a resident assistant at the Oaks. Levy plans to use her chemistry
degree to grand jetée into medical school.
Saying that senior chemistry major Amy Levy has a busy schedule is an
understatement.
In addition to her studies, Levy is vice president of scholarship for Sigma
Kappa Sorority, a teacher's assistant in the Chemistry Department, a member
of the Society of Physical and Life Science Scholars, an employee of ULV
Graphics, a volunteer at the Pomona Valley Medical Center, a resident assistant
at the Oaks residence hall and a choreographer for Olympic Studios in Rancho
Cucamonga.
Levy's career goal is to become a doctor. However, when she entered the
University of La Verne, she intended to pursue a different path.
"I wanted to be a choreographer," she said. Her plan was to go
to college, major in business and open her own dance studios.
Levy said she would have been able to open a studio after her high school
graduation, but her father convinced her to get her college degree so she
would have something to fall back on in case her studio was not successful.
Levy has been dancing for 19 years. She started dancing with the City of
La Verne at the age of 2. When she was 3, her dance instructor took her
to her private studio in Los Angeles. Then at 6, Levy began dancing with
American Ballet Theater in Los Angeles, which later moved to Orange County.
She credits her father with influencing her the most with dancing.
"He said, 'We have a hyper kid. We have to get her involved in something,'"
said Levy. "He has supported me in every capacity."
At Olympic Studios, Levy has students who range in age from 2 to 42. She
choreographs a variety of styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz and
baton. Most of her students are female, but she has one class of 3- to 7-year-old
boys. Levy also teaches an adult ballet class which is run through the city
of Rancho Cucamonga.
"Originally I was hoping to dance professionally," she said, "but
I had an injury and after the surgery it just wasn't a reality."
During her junior year of high school, Levy twisted her ankle severely,
tearing ligaments and tendons. Years later, her ankle still troubles her
and she is continuing with physical therapy.
Upon entering ULV, Levy was a business administration and chemistry major.
She said she began taking science classes because it was one thing she excelled
at in high school. She soon developed a love for science and, during her
sophomore year, decided to become a doctor.
"I went to the Philippines during January of my sophomore year,"
said Levy. "On World Youth Day I got sick and had to go to the hospital.
One of the girls in the village had just graduated from medical school."
Levy spoke to doctors at the hospital and one was an oncologist, a doctor
who works with cancer. Levy decided she wanted to become an oncologist as
well.
Although many people have inspired her in her life, she cites her grandfather
as her primary inspiration to become a doctor because he died from cancer
when she was 8.
"I was in the hospital every day for two years watching him,"
Levy said.
After her trip to the Philippines Levy said, "I got my act together."
Currently working toward medical school, Levy maintains her busy agenda
and chemistry classes with every intention to achieve her goals in medicine.