>> TONIGHT ON GREATER BOSTON, THE NEW FAFSA FORM CAUSES MORE HARM THAN GOOD ACROSS THE U.S.. OUR EDUCATION REPORTER, CURVED, IS HERE ALONG WITH THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION.

FORGET VALENTINE’S DAY.

CALLIE IS HERE WITH THE BEST WAYS TO CELEBRATE LOVE.

THE STORY OF A DANCE INSTRUCTOR DANCING THEMSELVES OUT OF A DEATH SENTENCE IN HAITI.

AS IF THE COMPETITIVE ADMISSIONS PROCESS AND STUDENT DEBT WERE NOT ENOUGH, COLLEGE HOPEFULS HAVE ANOTHER HEADACHE, THE FAFSA.

THE STUDENT LOAN APPLICATION ROLLED OUT LATE WITH SERIOUS MISTAKES, DELAYING AND PREVENTING STUDENTS FROM APPLYING.

GBH’S KURT JOINS US ALONG WITH THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE FAFSA?

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NEARLY 70 MILLION AMERICANS EVERY YEAR AND IT IS CRITICAL FOR STUDENTS TO KNOW HOW MUCH AID THEY WILL GET SO THEY CAN MAKE DECISIONS.

THIS YEAR IT CAME OUT LATE.

THERE WAS A MANDATE FOR THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT TO FIX THE FORM.

DEMOCRATS CLAIM THEY WERE NOT GIVEN THE TIME AND FUNDS TO PULL THIS OFF, BUT IT DID NOT COME OUT UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER, THREE MONTHS LATER THAN EXPECTED.

THEN IT WAS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR A FEW A DAY.

THE WEBSITE WOULD CRASH.

IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO GET TAYLOR SWIFT TICKETS, THOUGH WEBSITE KEPT CRASHING.

THE ISSUE IS STUDENTS CANNOT FILL OUT FORMS TO FIND OUT HOW MANY SCHOLARSHIPS THEY WILL RECEIVE, SO THEY CANNOT MAKE DECISIONS.

THIS THREATENS TO HARM THE STUDENTS THROUGH THE FORM IS INTENDED -- THAT THE FORM IS INTENDED TO HELP.

>> COUNSELORS ARE TRYING TO MANAGE THIS PROBLEM.

HOW IS THIS IMPACTING THEIR LIVES?

>> WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN.

IT CAME OUT LATE, THREE MONTHS BEHIND SCHEDULE.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF BUMPS AND ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

COLLEGES WILL NOT RECEIVE THIS DATA UNTIL MID-MARCH AT THE EARLIEST AND THEY HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION IN JANUARY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED.

PREVIOUSLY THE OPENING OF THE FORM WAS OCTOBER 1, SO THREE MONTHS BEHIND, AND YOU ARE DEALING WITH DELAYS.

IF THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNTIL MARCH, STUDENTS WILL NOT GET AID PACKAGES UNTIL APRIL.

TYPICALLY STUDENTS HAVE UNTIL MAY 1 TO MAKE A DECISION AND DEPOSIT ON WHICH SCHOOL TO APPLY TO, BUT WITH THIS BEING PUSHED BACK, WE HAVE A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME FOR STUDENTS TO EVALUATE THEIR OFFERS, SO IT IS THREATENING THE MAY 1 DEADLINE.

SCHOOLS ARE PUSHING THE DEADLINE TO JUNE 1, SO IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR STUDENTS AND COUNSELORS WHO ARE ADVISING, AS WELL AS COLLEGES WHO NEED THE INFORMATION SOONER.

>> FOR THOSE OF US WHO FILLED OUT THE FORM LONGER AGO THAN WE WANT TO ADMIT, WHAT IS INVOLVED IN FILLING THIS OUT?

>> IT IS NOTORIOUSLY COMPLEX.

FINANCIAL AID AND TAX INFORMATION.

SOME ADVOCATES THINK THEY SHOULD ELIMINATE BOTH FORM AND SAY IF THE IRS HAS YOUR TAX INFORMATION, WHY DO STUDENTS HAVE TO FILL THIS OUT?

THEY HAVE SIMPLIFIED IT AND THOSE WHO FILLED IT OUT SUCCESSFULLY SAY IT IS EASIER.

ONE OF THE KEY GLITCHES WAS THAT THE NEW FORM DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION AND THAT IS TAKING A LONG TIME TO CORRECT.

YOU CAN LOG ON AND FILL OUT THE FORM, BUT COLLEGES WILL NOT KNOW HOW MUCH TO AWARD BECAUSE THEY ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO ACCOUNT FOR THAT MISTAKE.

IT IS A NOTORIOUSLY COMPLEX FORM AND THE CONCERN FROM THE COUNSELORS AND STUDENTS IS THAT STUDENTS MIGHT NOT GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

THERE IS INIQUITY IN THE SYSTEM WHERE STUDENTS IN RURAL AND URBAN DISTRICTS MIGHT NOT HAVE AS MUCH HELP AS FAMILIES WHO CAN PAY PRIVATE ADVISORS TO FILL OUT THE FORMS.

SOME STUDENTS MAY GIVE UP AND THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN.

OTHERS MAY FILL IT OUT BUT NOT GET THE AID IN TIME AND THEY MIGHT DECIDE NOT TO GO TO COLLEGE.

WHY DOES THAT MATTER TO THE REST OF US?

THIS COMES AT A TIME WHERE WE NEED MORE COLLEGE GRADUATES TO MEET THE WORKFORCE DEMAND WE’VE LOST ONE MILLION STUDENTS OVER THE LAST DECADE.

>> DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS TAKEN STEPS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS AND RESCUE THE SITUATION BY DEPLOYING FEDERAL PERSONNEL, FUNDING FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUSPENDING PROGRAM REVIEWS FOR ELIGIBILITY.

IS THIS HELPING?

>> THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THIS THIS MONTH, THE IDEA TO HAVE A SUPPORT STRATEGY.

THE KEY THING IS TO PROVIDE A HIGH NEED COLLEGES WITH THE SUPPORT TO REMOVE BUREAUCRACY.

CONCERNS I’M HEARING ARE COMING FROM COUNSELORS BECAUSE THEY DON’T THINK THIS CHANGES ANYTHING.

THEY ARE STILL THE ONES DEALING WITH STUDENTS TO GET THE FORMS IN.

>> YOUR COUNSELORS ARE ON THE FRONT LINE.

ON AVERAGE THERE ARE 408 STUDENTS MANAGED BY EACH COUNSELOR.

MASSACHUSETTS IS LUCKIER.

TALK TO US, I THINK MOST PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE SENSE OF WHAT THAT INVOLVES.

TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT GETTING THESE FORMS IN HIS LIKE FOR COUNSELORS.

>> THAT IS AN AVERAGE OF COUNSELORS TO STUDENTS, BUT NOT EVERY COUNSELOR IS ASSIGNED SENIORS, SO OF 400 MIGHT HAVE 100 IN EACH GRADE.

IF YOUR RATIO IS LOWER, YOU MAY HAVE FEWER SENIORS OR SOME COUNSELORS ONLY DO SENIORS.

THEY MIGHT ONLY DO COLLEGE EVERY FOUR YEARS, SO IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE.

BUT WHETHER YOU HAVE 20, 80, OR 100, IT IS STILL A LOT IF THEIR NEEDS ARE GREAT.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE HAVE STUDENTS WITH GREATER NEEDS PERHAPS AND FEWER RESOURCES, SO THEY MIGHT ONLY HAVE ONE PERSON IN SCHOOL TO HELP THEM.

AND THAT PERSON’S LEARNING ALONG WITH THEM.

THAT IS A CHALLENGE, I AM LEARNING ALONG WITH MY STUDENTS HOW THE FORM IS DIFFERENT.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER BECAUSE I’LL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR BUT IT IS A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

A COLLEGE ADMISSION PIECE IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF WHAT COUNSELORS DO.

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKING WITH ACADEMIC ISSUES AND MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR STUDENT’S MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, WHICH ARE GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE.

ON TOP OF DAY-TO-DAY STUFF YOU ARE PRESENTED WITH A SHORTER TIME AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND FINANCIAL AID IS STRESSFUL AND NOW YOU’RE ADDING HIGHER INTENSITY.

IF I DO NOT GET AID I CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL AND IT IS BEING HELD UP BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THERE ARE 4000 STUDENTS YOU HAVE FILLED OUT THE APPLICATION, BUT THEY ARE IN A HOLDING PATTERN.

THEY’VE DONE WHAT THEY CAN BUT THEY HAVE TO WAIT.

WAITING AS A TEENAGER IS HARD ENOUGH AND THIS FORM WILL DETERMINE IF I CAN GO TO COLLEGE IN IT IS BEING HELD UP DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HOLDING IT UP.

IT NEEDS TO BE RIGHT BUT IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT STUDENTS ARE SUFFERING.

>> I REMEMBER AS A TEENAGER, PATIENTS WAS A BIG PART OF MY EMOTIONAL SPECTRUM.

[LAUGHTER] IS THERE ANYTHING THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO THAT IT HAS NOT DONE?

>> THEY WORK WITH NONPROFITS LIKE A SPIRAL OR BOTTOM-LINE WHO HAVE ADMINISTRATORS THAT ARE TRAINED IN WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO STEP IN AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT IT IS AVAILABLE, YOU CAN FORM IT -- FILL IT OUT.

SOME COLLEGES PUSH THE DEADLINE.

ONLY A HANDFUL OF SCHOOLS HAVE DONE THAT.

THERE IS A PUSH FROM THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF EDUCATION TO ENCOURAGE MORE SCHOOLS TO PUSH DEADLINES FURTHER BUT IF YOU ARE A LOW INCOME STUDENT DEBATING WHETHER YOU SHOULD GO INTO THE WORKFORCE IMMEDIATELY AND MAKE MONEY TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE OR GO TO COLLEGE AND THIS HUGE QUESTION IS HANGING OVER YOUR COLLEGE DECISION, YOU CAN SEE HOW THIS MAY AFFECT YOUR DECISION.

>> VOLVO, ANY MESSAGE YOU WANT TO CONVEY TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY WILL HANDLE THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS?

>> DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW.

NOT EVERYONE CAN.

SOME STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS DO NOT HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ARE LIMITED AND NOT ABLE TO FILL THAT OUT.

THAT HAS NOT BEEN WORKED OUT YET AND WILL IMPACT A GREAT NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

IF YOU CAN DO IT, IT IS SIMPLIFIED.

YOU PULL DATA FROM THE IRS SO IF YOU COMPLETED TAXES, THAT HELPS.

FAMILIES WHO HAVE DONE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WILL BE IN GOOD SHAPE.

WAITING IS VERY HARD BECAUSE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WANT TO KNOW BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS NO ONE ELSE KNOWS.

WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT.

WE HAVE TO BE PATIENT.

CHECK THE BOX AND DO SOMETHING FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY.

EMBRACE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I GOT A BREAK IN MY COLLEGE PROCESS AND I WILL ENJOY MY SENIOR YEAR AND DO SOMETHING FUN.

WHEN THE DATA STARTS COMING IN THEN YOU START UP WITH WHICH SCHOOL AM I GO TO IF I GOT INTO 10 SCHOOLS, HOW DO I MAKE THAT WORK, BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO TO ONE.

THE IDEA IS YOU COULD BE DOING THE RESEARCH BUT WITHOUT THE AID, YOU DON’T KNOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED.

SO DON’T GO PLANNING TO VISIT A SCHOOL YOU MIGHT NOT GET INTO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT.

THOSE PIECES WILL DELAY THE PROCESS.

APRIL AND MAY WILL BE VERY CHALLENGING FOR STUDENTS IF THEY HAVE A LOT OF COLLEGES ON THEIR LIST.

>> I CANNOT THINK OF A BETTER MESSAGE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY THEN GO DO SOMETHING FUN.

KURT AND BOB, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

VALENTINE’S DAY IS ABOUT ROMANTIC LOVE BUT THE DAY BEFORE IS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP.

THANKS TO PARKS AND REX LESLIE.

>> VALENTINE’S DAY IS THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR.

FRIDAY THE 13TH, WE TAKE IT BREAKFAST I’LL.

LADIES CELEBRATE LADIES.

>> GBH NEWS’TALLIES CELEBRATES GALENTINE’S DAY EVERY YEAR.

YOU HAD TO FIGHT THROUGH THE BLIZZARD LAST NIGHT AND THAT TOOK EXTRA SPECIAL EFFORT.

>>’S THIS DAY IS SO FUN AND WHO KNEW THAT JUST ONE OFFHAND COMMENT BY A FICTIONAL CHARACTER -- AMY POEHLER ISRAEL, BUT LESLIE IS NOT.

STARTED A HUGE TREND AND IT IS SO FUN BECAUSE THE BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE FRIENDSHIPS WHICH AS YOU KNOW ARE LONG AND ENDURING.

>> HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE?

>> YOU CAN DO THE BRUNCH THING, BUT I PREFER DINNERS WITH FRIENDS OR JUST GATHERINGS IN GENERAL WHERE YOU CHAT AWAY THE WHOLE NIGHT AND WE HAD LOVELY WINE.

WE ALWAYS HAVE WINE BECAUSE WINE IS GOOD AT BRUNCH AND OTHER TIMES.

>> WHY DON’T WE ENJOY THAT?

>> THIS IS BLACK GIRL MAGIC ROSE AND IF WE’RE GOING TO CELEBRATE WINE, LET’S CELEBRATE WINE WITH WOMEN AT THE HELM.

THIS COMPANY IS ROBIN AND ANDREA MCBRIDE AND THEY OWN ONE OF THE LARGEST BLACK OWNED WINE COMPANIES IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS CITRUS ON THE PALLET.

A LOT OF STRAWBERRIES, QUITE DELICIOUS.

THERE IS ANOTHER ONE I LIKE CALLED YES WAY, JOSÉ WHICH IS BY TWO WOMEN FRIENDS AS WELL.

THEY ARE ERICA BLUMENTHAL AND NIKKI HUGONAIRE.

THEY MADE AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT AS A JOKE AND IT BECAME A WINE COMPANY, SO THERE ROSE IS QUITE FUN.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BLAST.

VALENTINE’S DAY CAN BE HARD BECAUSE THERE IS A FOCUS ON ROMANTIC LOVE.

I TELL MY SINGLE FRIENDS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS FIND SOMEONE WHO LOOKS AT YOU THE WAY OUR DOGS LOOK AT MY WIFE.

THAT IS TRUE THOUGH.

THIS IS A WAY TO TURN IT ON ITS HEAD.

>> EVEN THOUGH VALENTINE’S DAY HAS THAT OVERLAY OF ROMANTIC LOVE, 93 PERCENT OF AMERICANS ENGAGE IN THE HOLIDAY WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY IS, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF RETAIL.

THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION POINTED OUT THAT ROSES, CANDY, FLOWERS GO NOT JUST TO A ROMANTIC FRIEND, BUT ALSO TO OTHERS THAT WE LOVE AND RESPECT.

>> I’M SURE THAT MAKES IT EASY TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE SENDING FLOWERS TO PEOPLE YOU ARE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP.

>> ROSES ARE THIRD DOWN IN TERMS OF THE MOST POPULAR GIFT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A $3 BILLION INDUSTRY.

>> CANDY AND THEN THE FIRST IS GREETING CARDS.

>> I THINK OF CANDY SOMETHING YOU CAN GET FOR ANY OCCASION.

>> SPECIAL CHOCOLATE AND SPECIAL HEART-SHAPED CANDIES FOR THIS OCCASION, IT’S GREAT.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY?

>> PAJAMA PARTIES WITH A WOMEN’S GROUP.

WE TRAVELED TOGETHER, BUT WHEN WE COME TO ONE LOCATION IN BOSTON, WE HAVE PAJAMA PARTIES, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO BE SOMETHING WE LEFT AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, BUT IT IS FUN AS ADULTS TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE SOME WINE AND JUST RELAX IN EACH OTHER’S COMPANY.

IT IS ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, STRONG FEMALE RELATIONSHIPS.

THAT IS THE WHOLE THING.

>> WE SHOULD TAKE SOMETHING FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT IS MORE FUN THAN ALGEBRA, SO THAT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

>> THAT IS THE CASE AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE FULFILLING I WOULD HAVE TO SAY.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT GUYS DO, BUT OVERNIGHT CONVERSATION WITH SOME GOOD GAL PALS IS PRETTY GOOD.

>> I EXPRESS MY AFFECTION FOR MY MALE FRIENDS AS MAKING FUN OF THEM.

IF THAT IS OUR KEY FORM OF COMMUNICATION.

>> WE MIGHT SING A SONG OR TWO TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S FRIENDSHIP.

AND JUST BE IN EACH OTHER’S PRESENCE.

>> WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF FUN WITH THIS, BUT THAT STRIKES ME AS REALLY ORTON BECAUSE THERE IS RESEARCH ON LONELINESS IN THE UNITED STATES AND HOW PEOPLE ARE MORE SOCIALLY ISOLATED THAN THEY USED TO BE.

I LEARNED THIS MORNING THAT -- I SAW THIS AND THE ATLANTIC, WOMEN WHO HAVE PETS 20 YEARS AGO WOULD SPEND MORE TIME WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAN THEIR PET AND TODAY SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR PETS THAN WITH ANY PERSON.

>> THAT’S REALLY SHOCKING.

>> I PREFER MY DOGS COMPANY TO, SO THAT DOES NOT SEEM UNREASONABLE, BUT WHAT YOU ARE GETTING AT IS MORE THAN JUST WE ARE HAVING FUN.

THERE IS A DEEPER MEANING TO THESE CONNECTIONS.

>> THERE IS SPECIFIC RESEARCH ABOUT HOW WOMEN’S FRIENDSHIPS ENHANCE WOMEN’S OVERALL BEING, NOT JUST PERSONALLY, BUT IN THEIR CAREERS.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT ENDORPHINS IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.

IT GIVES WOMEN ANOTHER KIND OF SPECIAL CONNECTION.

YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE LONELINESS.

IF PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE STATS, IT IS HUGE.

PEOPLE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT IT BUT IT IS REAL, HAS ITS OWN DESIGNATION IN MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE IT IS SO INTENSE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A WAY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CREATE THE BONDS THAT SO OFTEN MAYBE BECAUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, MAYBE BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS THEIR FACE DOWN AND NOT COMMUNICATING, IT GETS TOUGHER AND TOUGHER.

THERE IS THAT.

TO HELP BUILD CONNECTIONS, WHETHER ROMANTIC OR NOT, IS A GREAT TIME TO CELEBRATE THAT ONCE A YEAR.

AND BY THE WAY I AM A GALENTINE AND VALENTINES PERSON.

WHY NOT ENJOY BOTH.

>> I WILL DRINK TO BOTH WITH YOU.

MANY MORE TO COME.

JEAN DANCED HIMSELF OUT OF A DEATH SENTENCE IN HAITI.

HE BROKE IT DOWN ON GBH ORIGINAL SERIES STORY FROM THE STAGE AND WE BRING YOU HIS STORY AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THAT SHOW AND THIS ONE.

>> EVERY SUNDAY AROUND 12:30, 1:00, THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN HAITI TEACHING, BUT WITH A HEAVY ACCENT.

AND I’M LIKE WOW, THIS IS LIKE A GODDESS.

SHE WAS A PRINCIPAL DANCER AT ALVIN AILEY BUT SHE HAD A PASSION FOR HAITI AND CAME TO HAITI TO TEACH TECHNIQUE.

ONE DAY I WOULD LIKE TO BE JUST LIKE HER.

YEARS LATER, SHE ENDED UP DYING IN HAITI FROM SOME DISEASE OR SOME COMPLICATIONS, SO I WAS MAYBE SIX YEARS OLD WHEN I SAW HER AND BY THE AGE OF 13, I WENT TO SCHOOL.

I SAW A GROUP OF PEOPLE LIKE WHO WANTS TO DANCE AND ALL THE BOYS WERE LIKE -- AND ALL THE GIRLS WERE LIKE YES.

I WAS THE ONLY BOY WHO WENT AND AUDITIONED WITH SOME OF THE GIRLS AND THEY DID NOT TAKE THE GIRLS, THEY ONLY TOOK ME.

ONE DAY I GOT TO THAT SCHOOL AND I FINISHED DANCING, SWEATING.

I’M WALKING OUT AND MY UNCLE SAID LET’S GO.

I’M GOING TO TELL YOUR DAD THAT YOU ARE DANCING.

MY DAD WAS LIKE HOW DARE YOU ARE DANCING, I TOLD YOU TO GO TO MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL.

I SAID THIS IS MY PASSION AND HE SAID QUIT THAT THING.

IT WAS A WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ON FRIDAY NIGHT I PICKED UP MY CLOTHES AND PUT A BUNCH OF VOLLEYBALL CLOTHES INTO MY BAG AND MY FATHER WAS LIKE WHERE YOU GOING?

I SAID VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE.

HE SAID ARE YOU SURE?

I SAID YES.

I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE SCHOOL AND DANCE.

I NEVER KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT VOLLEYBALL.

1991 CAME IN WE HAD THE WORST DAY OF OUR LIVES BECAUSE I WOKE UP PRETTY MUCH 8:00 IN THE MORNING BECAUSE WE WERE GETTING READY TO GO TO SCHOOL AND MY FATHER WAS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE IT IS THE MONTH AFTER WINTER BREAK.

SO THE STREET WAS FILTHY WITH TIRE BURNING, HOUSES BURNING AND ALL THIS CHAOS ON THE STREETS.

I WAS LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON?

MY FATHER SAID WAIT HERE.

I’M GOING TO GO OUT ON THE STREET, I’M COMING BACK AND I’M GOING TO GET YOU TO SCHOOL.

I’M LIKE DAD, PLEASE DON’T GO BECAUSE I SEE THE STREET IS TROUBLING AND MY FATHER WAS VERY INVOLVED INTO POLITICS.

SO I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING I HEAR PEOPLE SCREAMING THEY ARE KILLING YOUR DAD, THEY ARE KILLING YOUR DAD OUTSIDE.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT BECAUSE MY BROTHERS WERE CRYING AND I AM TRYING TO REGISTER BECAUSE I AM THE OLDEST.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

MY GRANDMOTHER WAS LIKE LET’S GET OUT OF HERE BECAUSE THEY ARE KILLING YOUR DAD RIGHT NOW, SO LET’S GO.

30 MINUTES LATER I SAW PEOPLE COMING IN WITH MY DAD’S BODY PARTS TO MY HOUSE.

AND EVEN TODAY I’M TALKING ABOUT IT, I CANNOT BELIEVE IT BECAUSE MY DAD WAS SO ALIVE AND SO LOVING.

AND I’M LIKE WHERE IS MY DAD?

AND EVERYBODY SAID WERE GOING TO KILL THOSE THREE BOYS BECAUSE WE DON’T WANT THEM TO COME BACK FOR REVENGE.

SO WE WENT INTO HIDING FOR MAYBE SIX MONTHS.

AND I’M LIKE WHAT AM I GOING TO BE DOING?

I WAS DANCING, I WAS PRACTICING.

WHEN I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER SIX MONTHS THIS LADY SAID TO ME YOU CAN BEAT SOMEBODY OR YOU CAN BE NOTHING.

I KNOW THE TRAGEDY THAT YOU JUST SUFFERED IS GOING TO BE MESSING UP YOUR MIND, BUT YOU CAN DEFINITELY DO IT THROUGH DANCE.

SHE SAID DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, BUT I THINK DANCE CAN SAVE YOU.

SO I DID MY BEST EVERY DAY TO LEARN.

SUDDENLY I FELT BETTER.

DANCE IS REALLY HAPPENING, SO I KEEP ON DANCING AND MY MOTHER SAID HAITI IS NOT GOING TO BE FOR YOU ANYMORE.

I CAME TO BOSTON AND I KNEW I WOULD NOT SEE ANY CHAOS IN HAITI.

BUT MY MOM WAS LIKE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A PASTOR, YOU CANNOT BE DANCING.

MOM, FORGET ABOUT PASTOR, I WANT TO DANCE.

SHE SAID IF YOU DANCE I’M GOING TO SEND YOU BACK TO HAITI.

LIKE OK. NO MORE MY DAD, BUT MY MOM IS GOING TO GIVE ME A CHALLENGE.

I HEARD MUSIC AND DRUMS.

I’M LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE.

ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME WAS THAT DANCE COMPLEX.

SO MY MOTHER WALKED ME OUT AND SHE SAID IF YOU GO TO THIS BUILDING, YOU ARE OUT OF MY HOUSE.

AND I’M LIKE I’M NOT GOING TO GO THERE.

IT WAS A MONDAY.

SO WEDNESDAY CAME AND I’M LIKE YES, DANCING.

SO FROM THEN MY MOM WAS LIKE YOU ARE SO PERSISTENT, KEEP DANCING AND I WENT TO NEW YORK CITY WITH A SCHOLARSHIP.

I GRADUATED AND I KEPT DANCING.

NOW IF I WAKE UP ONE DAY AND DO NOT DANCE SHE DOES LIKE ARE YOU SICK?

TO REALLY TELL YOU THE WAY DANCE REALLY MADE ME WHO I AM TODAY AND STILL TRYING TO REACH OUT TO OTHER KIDS IN HAITI TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OK, A LOT OF KIDS ARE MESSED UP WITH SO MUCH CHAOS.

NOT ONLY DESTRUCTION, BUT MANY WRONGDOINGS IN HAITI.

WE GO EVERY SUMMER FOR TWO MONTHS AND WE TEACH KIDS WHO REALLY WANT TO DANCE BUT HAVE NO MONEY.

WE GIVE THEM FREE CLASSES, FREE YOGA AND KEEP THEM ON THEIR FEET.

DANCE MADE ME WHO I AM, SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LISTENING.

[APPLAUSE] >> YOU CAN CATCH MORE STORIES FROM THE STAGE MONDAYS AT 9:30 P.M. ON WORLD AND FRIDAYS AT 8:00 ON GBH.

OR ANY TIME ON FACEBOOK OR YOUTUBE.

NEXT MONTH, CATCH SOME STORIES IN PERSON AT THE WOMEN IN ACTION EVENT.

FOR TICKETS AND INFO HEAD TO GBH.ORG/EVENTS.

THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

STATES LOOK FOR HOUSING FOR MIGRANTS.

WE DIG INTO THE PLAN.

HOW IN ACTION MAKES THINGS WORSE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THAT AND MORE TOMORROW AT 7:00.

GOOD NIGHT.