Katrina Morales lost her fight with cancer in January, 2015.
She was an important member of the Arthur Murray community, a great competitive dancer, and a beloved wife, teacher, and daughter. The final night at the Unique Dance-O-Rama® featured a tribute to her life, and Arthur Murray career.
Celebrating The Life And Career Of Katrina Morales
The most important choreography of the night was, actually, a formation. In an incredible gesture, the entire field of Arthur Murray professionals, from Future Champions to Open Professional, American Smooth to American Rhythm - all took the floor to honor Katrina Morales with precision and care.
A half turn by the gentlemen, and everyone was overcome with emotion.
Revealed on their backs were numbers, in pink, as an homage to Katrina's courageous battle with cancer. It was a moment no one will soon forget.
In His Own Words
We caught up with Octavio Morales, "Tavio", and asked him to share his story of the wonderful tribute to his late wife, dance partner, and business partner - Katrina Morales, at Unique 2015.
TM: First of all thank you for asking me to put down and words my thoughts.
AML: Absolutely! Thank you for taking the time to share your story. So how would you sum up the tribute that night at Unique Dance-O-Rama®?
TM: The tribute on that Saturday night for my wife Katrina at Unique DOR was, and is, a very special act of love from the people who knew her, and for people that might not have even met her once.
AML: When the professionals all turned around like that, what did that symbolize to you?
TM: To me it was a demonstration of how much love she created in this world with her soft quiet ways, and her loudness as a dancer and business woman. Katrina's death is not something that has been remembered with sorrow but with joy, and her tribute at Unique 2015 was a true testament to that.
AML: Anything you'd like to share with Steve and Georgetta Platt, the organizers?
TM: I want to thank Steve and Georgetta Platt and their team. For thinking about it and following through in such a beautiful way, to honor my best and favorite professional partner. Katrina's courageous battle with cancer and the love Steve and Georgetta have for her - A tribute like that is not something that is expected; yet the fact that it was done was overwhelming with love and appreciation. And now Unique is my ultimate favorite event because it touched my heart in one more way.
AML: What did you think of the pink numbers the pros wore in Katrina's honor?
TM: The professional pink numbers on all of the pros that night was a very appropriate symbol of her fight with cancer and how we are all connected. Everyone in that ballroom was a symbol of support for someone else, but that night we were all soldiers in support of Katrina.
AML: Leading up to it, I'm sure you knew there was something planned, but how did you feel once the tribute began?
TM: There was an indescribable feeling that went through my body the minute Paul (Hermanson) said her name over the microphone. The vibrations of her name bouncing from the walls and through people - the energy was out of this world. There were tears from people who knew her, and admiration from those who didn't.
AML: You received a plaque from Steve and Georgetta, do you mind telling us what it said?
TM: The plaque read: "I know you would have been here if heaven was not so far away."
Well Katrina was definitely there supporting what we do, and letting me know everything was gonna be ok.
So, for a little while, we were all that much closer to heaven.
"The pink numbers were an incredible tribute, and a reminder of the amazing person she was, and the life she lived. She is missed but will never be forgotten." - Gabriella Young
Final Thought
The world of Arthur Murray is much smaller, and more connected, than most people realize. For as many dominoes that fell in the right direction for you to find your way into Arthur Murray, the same can be said for Katrina, Octavio, and every other professional in this organization.
Enjoying good times while dancing makes for a happy, fun, and healthy community of new friends. Overcoming adversity, and learning to grow from it, forges that community into a family.
There was plenty of family there that Saturday night at Unique Dance-O-Rama®.
