Wouldn’t it be neat to graduate high school with honors in dance?

“From dance I have learned that hard work really does pay off. The best part of my week is going to dance. It has shown me that mistakes are not failures, but steps toward growth. Dance teaches me a lot of new things like balance, how to focus, and strength. But overall it teaches me about teamwork and how to problem solve. One thing people could learn from dancing is that it takes time and patience to get where you want to be. I look forward to using the lessons learned on the dance floor to give back to my community and inspire others to find their own rhythm. ” -Scarlett, Jr. Rise Inductee

“I used to feel awkward being the tallest in dance. I was worried about my long arms hitting my dance friends or getting in the way of other people dancing. I have always wanted to make myself smaller, shorter, blend in. But at dance, I can just be myself. My long legs and arms make my moves look huge and brilliant, and make me glide across the dance floor. When I watch the videos back, I think of how far I’ve come, and will never look back at the old me. Being tall to me used to be a curse, but now I am more confident than ever before. Now it just means there is more of me to love dancing.” -Tenley, Jr. Rise Inductee

“Dance has affected me in multiple positive ways, both in and out of the studio doors. When I dance, I dance as if nobody cares if I mess up, which they don’t. I dance as if I am on top of the world, which I am. Dance impacts me by making me more outgoing. In dance, I come out of my shell. After all, dance friends are family. Dance is a place where I feel very safe and comfortable.“ -Naomi, Jr. Rise Inductee

“Dance is my favorite sport, my joy, and my passion. Dance is my life and the rest is details. I feel so proud of myself for sticking with this, not giving up, and never complaining. Dance has had an impact on my life outside of the studio because I have increased my confidence, and it has helped me with my fear of speaking out loud in a crowd. I plan to use my influence from dance in the future to have an impact on other people by continuing to be a leader.” -Bella, Jr. Rise Inductee

“Dance has become more than an activity for me. It has become a foundation that influences my confidence, leadership, and teamwork. Dance has improved my confidence by not making it nerve wrecking during improv, a performance, or public speaking. Dance helped with my motivation and leadership skills to ask questions when I need help in school or in dance class. Dance gives me a place of safety.” -Nevaeh, Jr. Rise Inductee 

“This year has been the most difficult year of dance I have had in my life so far. As a member of the poms team I was accountable for the success of all of the girls on my team and our coach was very clear when my performance was negatively impacting the team. I was grateful to be a part of Elevate on the several occasions that I took private lessons when I was free. Sometimes that meant dancing from 3:00-9:00pm and getting my homework done after that, but it eased my anxiety about some of the skills I was missing when I could work one-on-one with the Elevate teachers. My appreciation for the support Elevate gave motivated me to return to the recital this spring. I didn’t want to miss being a part of this team.” -Giabella, Rise Chapter Inductee

“When I feel tight or stressed walking into the dance studio, I always come back out relaxed and rejoiced. Truthfully, there has never been a time I came out of dance and regretted that I went. Dance has impacted my life in so many ways, it’s hard to focus on just one way it has changed my future. One of the greatest lessons dance has taught me is the importance of discipline. Because of dance, I know that if you truly want something, you have to be willing to work for it. I want to teach others the importance of working hard and chasing your dreams, because it will bring new opportunities that you never thought were possible.” -Avery, Rise Chapter Inductee

“Dance matters to me because it gives me a way to express feelings I don’t have words for. When I am dancing it puts me in this mindset where nothing else in the world matters except the movement and the room I’m in. It lifts my stress and my anxiety from my body as soon as I step into the studio. It also gives me a sense of freedom. Dance has made me more confident outside of the studio. Dance has also helped me become a better team player and has given me the motivation to push through hard days, along with the skills to lead and serve others in ways we don’t always see. Dance has shaped who I am, and that person continues to grow with every season, and every class.”  -Grace, Rise Chapter Inductee