The Frances McClelland Vision Award is given to honor community leaders who have made a lifelong commitment and significant contributions to the well-being of children, youth, and families. The community leaders embody the strength, dedication, vision and passion that Frances McClelland exhibited throughout her life. This award is for community leaders who have dedicated their lives and work to helping Frances McClelland’s legacy and vision come to fruition for the people of Southern Arizona and the world.
The PAC Dance Team is a group of committed 14-18 year olds who share a passion for dance, performing arts, and overall community investment. Their talent has been showcased across Southern Arizona, as they have won 4 consecutive state championships, been featured nationally on the likes of Live with Kelly and Ryan, Inside Edition, and Good Morning America. Most recently, The PAC Dance team made it the quarterfinals of America's Got Talent, being the first and only publicly funded dance group to compete and make it onto the show.
Though recognized for the talent on the dance floor, the PAC is deeply committed to making their school and their community a safe and inspiring space for all students. The PAC dance team is known for impacting their school in a positive way through initiatives like "Thankful Thursdays", a practice where dance team members write thank you notes and deliver to fellow students, teachers, and administration thanking them for their work and contributions to their school. PAC voluntarily performs at local events such as Sahuarita's Pecan Festival, Tubac Car Show, and Tucson’s All Soul's Festival and at many local schools and school events in the community.
When they are not dancing, practicing, and full-time students, they have been known to volunteer at community centers like the YWCA Southern Arizona's House of Neighborly Service or Jim and Vicki Click's Boys and Girls Club. Almost all PAC dancers join the team with little to no formal dance training. These dancers work hard to improve their talent, gain all their experience through their publicly funded high school classes, and are required to prioritize their grades, kindness, and community service. Of all the recognition these youths have received, they are most excited to be recognized for their impact off the dance floor, as they know dance is a vehicle to teach them about living a compassionate and thoughtful life.