ANDERSONVILLE — The kids in Jayden Perkins’ dance company returned to class this weekend for the first time without him.
“We decided he’d want us to dance,” said Amy Giordano, executive director of Gus Giordano Dance School. “Jayden was always performing. And that gift radiated to everyone who shared the floor with him.”
Jayden, 11, attended the dance school, 5230 N. Clark St., on a full merit scholarship, studied about a dozen styles, from hip-hop to ballet, and had once caught the eye of show-runners for a role as young Michael Jackson, Giordano said. He also played football and was set to star in his upcoming school play. He had a knack for math and sent letters to his teachers.
Now in the hallways of Peirce Elementary School, 1423 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., are two growing memorials to Jayden made by his classmates.
Jayden was killed last week trying to protect his pregnant mother when a serial domestic abuser — out on parole for the second time in months — forced his way into the family’s home. His mother was getting ready to take Jayden and his little brother to school when Crosetti Brand pushed through the front door and attacked her with a knife, according to prosecutors.
Jayden’s mother had been denied a restraining order three weeks prior against Brand, who previously threatened her in text messages and showed up at her home, according to the Sun-Times. Brand, 37, has been charged with nine felony counts, including for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Those who knew Jayden are remembering him as a “bright light” who lived and danced with the full force of his spirit — and died as a hero.
Jayden’s mom and unborn sibling are out of the hospital and recovering, Giordano said. The family credits Jayden with saving their lives.
A fundraiser for Jayden sponsored by his schools has raised over $120,000. The money will cover his family’s medical expenses, funeral arrangements and possibly an education fund for Jayden’s 5-year-old brother, Giordano said.
Giordano separately plans to dedicate a dance scholarship in Jayden’s name. Peirce Principal Lori Zaimi said school leadership have discussed memorializing Jayden’s locker, or renaming the auditorium after him.
Zaimi said students aren’t sure yet if the school play should go on.
“Jayden was that kid who shined in every space that he was in. He connected everyone,” Zaimi said. “It’s changed here. We’re trying to navigate as a school, but Jayden was a huge part of who we are. There’s this feeling we can’t move on normally.”
The two communities, united in grief, held a balloon vigil for Jayden Thursday night. Around 100 kids showed up, Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) said at a press conference Friday.
Giordano said Jayden was a dancer talented beyond his years, one of just 13 boys in the company featuring over 100 of the city’s brightest young dancers.
Jayden went to classes four times a week and practiced every day at home, Giordano said.
“You couldn’t take your eyes off Jayden. He was fully engaged in every class, every performance, from start to finish,” Giordano said. “He could take any movement and make it his own.”
His energy and joy for dance was infectious, Giordano said.
“If he was in the building, it was a positive,” she said. “Jayden gave other dancers the encouragement to just go for it. He was already a teacher to his peers.”
Zaimi said she’s still struggling to find answers.
“Somehow the system has failed the family and failed Jayden,” Zaimi said. “I don’t know exactly where that lies. But I do know this is something that should not have happened.”
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