Aspire Academy’s performance group The Splinter Project performed May 16 in Seattle at “Girlvolution,” an all youth-led social justice conference at Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club.

The conference consisted of workshops led by teens on issues ranging from addiction and depression to teen dating and the foster care system. There also were youth performances of poetry reading, music, and dancing. The Splinter Project performed two pieces titled “Bullying” and “Beauty.” “Bullying” deals with the extreme issues of bullying and how young people can step up and have a voice in preventing harsh treatment of their peers.

“Beauty” is a powerful piece that addresses the issue of what media and society consider the “perfect woman” and the dangers that it leads to such as eating disorders, addiction and even suicide to try and achieve unobtainable perfection.

The Splinter Project began around three years ago when Aspire teamed up with The Splinter Group, a professional dance company in Seattle. Their goal is to bring awareness and change regarding relevant social issues.

The girls have to audition every September and are contracted through August.

The girls in the group this year are Kristina Holtrop, Eden Batson, Joie Darminio, Alyssa Lowe-Little, Allison Van De Wege, Saige Turner and Alissandra Baccus. The directors of the group are Naomi Alstrup and Joy Teel.