Remembering the Ineffable Sophie Kurek ’13 By Emily Polasik ’13 No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough to describe the beauty that Sophia “Sophie” Kurek was, and the pain that is associated with the tragic loss of one of our own Goucher dancers. Watching someone dance is like receiving an invitation to see right into their soul. How lucky so many of us were to have had the pleasure of regularly seeing Sophie dance on Goucher’s stage. She first caught my attention during the 2010 fall dance concert. Working backstage, I knew that show like the back of my hand. I must have watched those dances tons of times, and I remember Sophie caught my eye in every piece she was in. She just had it—that presence on stage where you didn’t want to watch anyone but her. We later became friends, and I found that this presence not only existed on the stage, but also in her everyday life. She was always full of energy, radiant in every way imaginable. People were simply drawn to her. In addition to road trips around the United States, our friendship took us traveling to Spain and throughout Italy during our semester abroad. This past spring she came to visit me in Bermuda to explore pristine beaches, jump off cliffs, and celebrate finishing her MCATs. Sophie was truly a thrillseeker—she was never fazed by anything and was always two steps ahead of you to find the next big adventure. She was constantly moving, never staying in one place for long— anyone who knew her knows what I mean. When Sophie passed away, I found myself struggling to accept the term “Rest in Peace.” It just wasn’t TIME for this beautiful dancer to be “resting” yet, and it was way too generic to describe her, anyway. She’s surely moving wherever she is, dancing or having some epic adventure. “Moving in Paradise” (MIP) is how I imagine her now. Not long ago, I was asked to describe Soph in one word. One word. I think I actually laughed out loud. How could I choose just one? She was stunning. Fierce. Passionate. Graceful. Determined. Not to mention hilarious, silly, exciting, and adventurous. “Electrifying” was the closest I could get to portraying her spirit in one word. Then, in the midst of flipping through an old journal trying to find any story or thought I wrote that had anything to do with her, there it was. That exquisite word that described everything Sophie was and more without actually describing anything. The craziest part? She gave it to me. In the spring of 2013, I danced in her senior independent work, “Degrees of Obscurity.” One of the tools Sophie used in rehearsals and
Sophie Kurek dancing. (Photo by Jason Lee)
her own choreographic process was the book The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan. As a thank you for our commitment and devotion to her piece, Sophie gave each of her dancers a picture frame that contained a definition from the book. At some point in the past year, I had taped the piece of paper containing the definition in my journal, completely forgetting about it. That one simple word: ineffable. “Ineffable, adj. These words will ultimately end up being the barest of reflections, devoid of the sensations words cannot convey. Trying to write about love is ultimately like trying to have a dictionary to represent life. No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough.” Sophie Kurek was absolutely, one hundred percent ineffable. No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough to describe her or the love we have for her. The way she danced. The way she thought. Her beauty. Her charisma. Her passion. Those who try to write about or describe their love for her become frustrated because words are simply not enough.
To further honor her ineffability, Sophie’s family has worked with Goucher College to secure a scholarship in her name that will seek to financially assist other aspiring Goucher students who are pursuing their dreams with the same unwavering spirit Sophie had. The Sophia L. Kurek Memorial Fund will recognize students who embody the strong academic standards; artistic talents; and personal qualities of grace, passion, and diligence Sophie exemplified. Creating this scholarship has been steady but slow moving because many involved in the process (family and close friends) are still grieving. Donations can be made by visiting www.goucher.edu/gift and specifying “The Sophia L. Kurek Memorial Fund” or by mail to the Goucher College Development Office. While she may be gone from this world physically, Sophie Kurek’s legacy will live on. A true dancer never stops dancing, and Sophie’s grace, discipline, and passion will forever dance through our memories and throughout whatever paradise she now resides. MIP, SLK. (Move in Paradise, Sophia L. Kurek.)
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