Priscilla Dantas never thought she would be studying at the University of Oregon. Born and raised in Recife, Brazil, Dantas is now in the United States studying and playing the piano thanks to the Students Helping Street Kids International scholarship that was given to her when she was ten years old and made her education a reality.

SHSKI is a nonprofit organization founded by former Eugene school teacher and Peace Corps volunteer Bob Crites that binds together sister schools in America and Brazil in order to emphasize global education and scholarship for at-risk Brazilian youth. Carnaval Brasil, one of the main sources of funding for the event, is hosted annually to raise money for the organization. This year’s event will be held this Saturday and will include Samba lessons and a piano performance from Dantas.

“The main role of the Carnaval Brasil is to represent the kids who are supported by SHSKI — and I am an example of what SHSKI is doing,” Dantas said.

Growing up, Dantas remembers her parents struggling economically. Her father worked as a security guard at a music school and worked to support his family. With limited means, Dantas’ parents knew they wanted to provide a better future for their daughter they just didn’t know how.

Though playing the piano came naturally for Dantas she never imagined that one performance would change her life.

“I remember I was playing and Bob Crites was invited to the performance. After it, he met with me and got to know my hardship,” Dantas said. “Once he knew it he offered me the scholarship and I was able to attend a private school and study English, and that scholarship has made studying at the UO a possibility for me.”

Every summer since 2008, Dantas has performed in a series of concert where the funds collected go toward her scholarship fund. Donna Snyder, a close friend of Dantas and former musician has helped organize the summer series.

For Snyder, Dantas’ energy on stage is as inspirational as the her climb to success.

“She is just a charmer; she works so hard with all age groups and it seems like after her performances everyone wants a little piece of Priscilla,” Snyder said. “The audiences love her. Although she struggled with her English sometimes, she doesn’t let that get in the way.”

Snyder has seen Dantas’ English improve greatly over the years.

At this year’s Carnaval, participants in the event will see the direct impact of their donation money, event coordinator Jessica Zapata explains. Unlike many funding events for international scholarships, the only thing separating Dantas and her sponsors will be a piano.

“The money that we raise at Carnaval Brasil goes to help fund two scholarships,” Zapata said. “SHSKI is supporting Priscilla while she is at the UO and will support her sister, Pamela throughout high school. These scholarships are very expensive and the money we raise is an important contribution to SHSKI being able to support their education through the university level.”

Carnaval Brasil is will be held at Cosmic Pizza starting at 7 p.m. All funds from the benefit will go to support SHSKI’s scholarship recipients