Runway Show Recap: Swimming & Diving's Stancil Shares You Night 2020 Experience
Dec 3, 2020 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Tulane swimming & diving head coach Leah Stancil participated in You Night's 2020 Cancer Survivor Runway Show & Celebration, which aired on Nov. 6-8. The three-day broadcast featured three runway shows, performances from local musicians, giveaways and inspirational stories of the You Night 2020 Role Models. Below, Stancil opens up about her experience participating in the show, highlighting what she learned and gained from the process.
"You Night is a sisterhood of support for women who have had or are currently battling any type of cancer. We offer unique year-round programs that are alternatives to traditional cancer survivor support groups. Our method behind our programs is to bring groups of women together to experience empowering activities that allow them to see themselves differently. The bond that is created along the way not only allows for fun and life-changing experiences, but results in lifelong friendships that will endure well past the program experience."
How did you first hear about You Night’s Runway Show? How did you become involved?
“When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I felt very overwhelmed and I knew that I would need some sort of group support. So I asked my husband if he could research and look for breast cancer support groups. He asked within a mental health therapist support group – and this is what they recommended.”
What was the experience like?
“I really had a great time. We learned how to do a model stance, model turns and of course how to walk on the runway. We also learned a lot about each other and ourselves.”
Take us through the process. What did you enjoy the most about it?
“We had numerous rehearsals to practice our ‘routines’ and learn to walk within our groups. We also had numerous activities in addition to the rehearsals – we had a photo shoot for our head shots, shot a music video, had an ‘album cover' photo shoot, wrote ‘Our Story’ and also had a painting class where we were able to paint our scars. In the runway show, we modeled formal, contemporary and jean wear. We got to keep the jeans. I loved modeling the formal wear. My absolute favorite part was the new friends that I made. The laughs that we have had and of course the sorrows that we have shared. It is so comforting to know I have group of women who can relate to what I am experiencing without having to explain it. They just get it. During this unique time, we had a lot of Zoom social calls and we also have a group chat that is constantly active.”
How did it feel going back and watching yourself on stage?
“It was such a good time. Two of my friends who were also in the show came to watch it at my house. We had a lot laughs and some tears.”
What do you think you learned most about yourself during the process?
“Hmm…I learned that I am tougher than I realize. Particularly, during the process of writing ‘My Story,' there have been so many things that I have had to overcome. I simply overlooked and overcame them, then I moved on without giving myself credit.”
