PHOTO GALLERY: Desire to Aspire reaches out to young girls

January 3, 2013 | 6:00 a.m. CST

MU student Stacy Stewart launched an after-school program, Desire to Aspire, for young girls at Lange Middle School. She brings in guest speakers and plans different activities for the girls. In early December, Jeanne Szkolka, owner of the Columbia Dance Academy, volunteered her time to teach a jazz class.

Jay'Ahjnae Williams, 12, left, and Stacy Stewart stretch to reach their toes during warm-up at a dance class held by Desire to Aspire at Lange Middle School on Dec. 5. Stewart is an MU student who launched Desire to Aspire, an after-school mentoring program for girls at Lange. | Bridget Murphy

Dontrice Harris, 12, center, laughs during an after-school dance class at Lange Middle School as Jayahjnae Williams, 12, left, and McKenna Wells, 12, warm-up Wednesday afternoon. The girls were taking a jazz style dance class through the Desire to Aspire program. | Bridget Murphy

Girls at Lange Middle School practice a jazz dance routine after school on Dec. 5. Jeanne Szkolka, front-right, owner of the Columbia Dance Academy, volunteered her time to teach the jazz class. | Bridget Murphy

Stacy Stewart helps Dontrice Harris, 12, with her headband during a dance lesson at the Desire to Aspire after-school program at Lange Middle School on Dec. 5. | Bridget Murphy