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08.08.2018
Professional hula hooper using the circus to spread anti-bullying message
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Description
Professional hula hooper using the circus to spread anti-bullying message
Sandra Sommerville had to switch schools to get away from an aggressive bully in Grade 5.
In Grade 8, she started homeschooling after she was faced with a similar, but more violent situation at her new school.
“You can hear in my voice right now that it’s difficult to think about,” she said, her words wavering slightly.
Even after the passage of many years, the 34-year-old woman has trouble talking about her struggles with bullying, but her unique career has helped her get back what was taken from her.
“The thing that was so great about finding circus was how much confidence it gave me,” said Sommerville, a professional hula hooper and full-time circus performer. “I started when I was 22 and basically was addicted to it.”
Originally from Fort McMurray, Alta., Sommerville is now based out of Calgary, but travels all over the world for her work. Between 2009 and 2011, she travelled to 14 countries, mostly in Europe and Southeast Asia.
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