MELODY BUTTRAM

The News-Leaders have yet another outstanding CPA student to showcase! Melody Buttram is an exceptionally gifted CPA student whose current goal is to spread Christ’s love through dance. You might remember Melody from the solo dance video she submitted for last year’s CPA talent show, but her story goes way back and we’re going to try to take you through her journey. From before Melody was born, her mother claims that she was dancing in her womb. At the age of two, Melody’s parents, Monica and Darrell enrolled her in a gymnastics class which she spent a decent amount of time doing, but her real desire was to dance.

When she was only 5 years old, her parents decided that it was best for her to focus on dancing since she loved it so much and enrolled her in Bridget's Dance Academy in Huntington, West Virginia. She quickly began dancing competitively at age 7 and has been competing ever since.

There is no end in sight to Melody’s dance career. In fact, if it’s the Lord’s will, Melody hopes to make a ministry of her dance and to spread Christ’s love through her dancing. God seems to be guiding this desire and she will be auditioning for a professional faith-based dance company in Jackson, Mississippi called Ballet Magnificat! following graduation in 2024. This company has a Christ centered ministry that presents the gospel through dance productions as well as offering dance classes that share the gospel to all their students. This will be a professional career for Melody if she is accepted and will put her college education on hold.

To reach her goals, Melody has had to balance so much over the course of her dance career and childhood education. One of her greatest challenges throughout her dance career is covering the camp and competition fees. This isn’t easy, but not only can she dance, she can juggle a job, fundraising and her schoolwork. CPA has been a God-send for allowing her a flexible schedule with plenty of support and opportunities for a social life beyond her dance friends to assist her in reaching her goals.

When asked what her greatest goal in life is, she said that it is to know where God is calling her, go without question, and do what she has to do even when she is terrified of doing it. She hopes her ‘future self’ can look back at her life and say “The thing I'm proudest to say is that I went where the Lord called me and I did what I was supposed to do whether that was enjoyable or not.”

Melody exemplifies her mission and as a result, she is accomplishing great things through the power of Christ. To God be the glory, great things He will do through a willing heart like Melody’s!

This article was brought to you by Benjamin Kalangwa