Shaler teen selected as Traveling Tutus ambassador

Tawnya Panizzi | Tuesday, June 16, 2020 12:01 a.m.

Courtesy of Hannah Stelitano

Shaler Area sophomore Hannah Stelitano, 15, is a member of the Traveling Tutus, a group that collects dance costumes and shoes and gives them to people in need.

Shaler Area sophomore Hannah Stelitano has been dancing since she learned to walk.

The 15-year-old, a member of Ideal Dance in Etna and the Shaler Area Dance Team, trains in ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and tap (her favorite.)

Hannah also uses her moves to put good into the world.

She recently was selected as an ambassador for Traveling Tutus, a group that collects costumes and shoes and doles them out to children in need.

“I am honored to be chosen,” Hannah said. “I am enthralled with the organization.”

Founded in 2008, Traveling Tutus has sent dancewear to thousands of children in 29 countries. Sparkly leotards, tights, tap shoes and pink ballet slippers have made their way as far as Haiti, China and Mexico.

According to the group’s website, founders said that dance can instill confidence, give joy and foster self-expression.

Hannah was introduced to the group through friends and said she was eager to join the movement.

The teen, a featured dancer in this year’s high school production of “Shrek,” said she plans to run costume collections and other fundraisers as part of her mission to share dance with others.

“These children will now get to experience the joy of dance, like I know,” she said.