The "Putnam Baby"

by Alexzandria Reasor

  Kenya Gest teaches a Hip-Hop course at the Factory Street
Dance Studio on Oct. 11.

When Gest walks the hall of Putnam, she sees a lot more than the average Ohio University student does.She sees beyond the three dancers stretching on a bar as they prepare for ballet class. She ignores the young man passionately rehearsing for tonight’s performance, striving to perfect his every move without expressing the high level of concentration on his face.  She barely notices the instructor approaching the fountain in front of her, drenched in sweat after teaching two back to back contemporary dance classes. Instead, she is consumed with memories. These memories originate from stories pertaining to her childhood and reasoning of why she can now be referred to as “the Putnam Baby”

During her senior year at Richmond Heights High School, senior dance major Kenya Gest attempted to avoid enrollment at Ohio University.  Four years later, she is completing her final year in the School of Dance adding to the history her family began at OU, 21 years ago.

Baby Steps Toward Putnam

Dec. 15, 1989 Kenya Gest was born to Ohio University alumni Belinda and Sean Gest, during winter break of their junior year as undergrads.  When the two returned to school in January, their beautiful baby girl accompanied them.

“My mother did what she had to in order to finish school. While she was in class, I was at daycare which at the time, was inside of Putnam Hall. I spent most of my early years here in Athens…and ironically, inside Putnam Hall. ”

Giant Leaps Into Adulthood

Kenya Gest strikes a pose during an Athens' Black Contemporary
 Dance photo shoot which took place in Putnam Hall in April 2011.

By the time Gest finished high school, she was pretty certain that she wanted to pursue a career in dance. She had been performing ever since she could walk. Being in the spotlight was natural to her. Originally, Gest frowned at the idea of attending her parent’s alma mater. She did almost everything in her power to avoid attending OU. She applied at many other schools based on their business and dance programs but did not make the final decision to attend OU until she had been reunited with Putnam.

While visiting Putnam, Gest was introduced to a welcoming staff that encouraged her to join the School of Dance. The beauty of the campus also contributed to her decision to attend OU however, Gest was not completely sold until she discovered that the school not only offered dance as a major but a bachelor’s degree in business as well. In the fall of 2008, Gest would begin her first year at Ohio University majoring in business and dance.

Preparing For Her Final Bow

Seniors Lauren McMichael, Kenya Gest and Chrysten Crocket
perform to Beyonce's smash hit "Ego".

Now, Gest can be seen waltzing up and down the Halls of her former day care as she dances through senior year. She is one of the most requested dancers here at OU and has served on the executive board of Athens’ Black Contemporary Dance, an extremely popular dance organization here on campus. She has won many local competitions including the prize she accepted for her Beyonce impersonation during the Sibs Weekend “So You Think yOU’re Famous” competition. Her prize was a VIP pass to meet rappers J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa and R&B singer Mario. She also spent the summer in New York to market herself as a senior dance major and to network with professional choreographers.

“Putnam is just the beginning of my adventure…all puns intended saying that my life really began here. Within the years following graduation, I hope to land a spot on Broadway. I was really moved the first time I saw the Lion King on stage. I would like to travel the world, teaching young people to dance and creating a name for myself.”

Favorites:
Entertainer	Beyonce Knowles
Choreographer	Mia Michaels and Luam
Performance	Performance choreographed by well known choreographer Adriana Durant (2008)