How did you get into dance?

My sister was a dancer, and I was in the dance setting since I was little. She started when she was 4. I was watching all the time, and I started to like it. My uncle showed me a video, and he said I should try doing the moves, so I did and I just got into it.

What kind of dance do you do?

Hip hop and robot animation.

Why do you like hip hop and robot animation?
It gives me a way to express myself without having to fit in tight restrictions like other dance moves have.

What inspires you to dance?

My great-grandpa. A couple years ago he died. When I would show him my dancing, he would be super amazed by it and he always had this super large vision for me.

Have you taken part in any competitions?
I’ve done six or seven. That was through a dance company that we used to go to.

Why do you like dancing?

It is an outlet for my stress; it is the only way I can cope with it.

What are your future plans for dance?
In the future, I plan to open my own studio to teach dance as an alternative to violence.

What should students know?

Anyone has potential. I see people at school — their dancing is
bad so they get looked at badly. People should move past that.

What kind of performing do you do?
I was in competition, then I was doing recitals. Now, just whatever I do at the school.

Do you plan to perform elsewhere?
Right now I’m trying to see if I can go audition for “America’s Got Talent.” First, I’ve got to

start making my money. That’s one of the reasons why I got my job. Once I have a decent amount of money I’m going to go audition because we’re going to have to pay for our own hotels.

What was it like dancing in the pep-fest?
I thought it was really fun because my friend turned it into a battle, and I like to battle.

How do you think the pep-fest went?
I think it went well because we’ve been getting a lot of good compli- ments about it.

Describe your best experience.

Winning Judges’ Choice award at one of my competitions.

How do you get yourself prepared to perform?
It kind of depends on what day it is. Part of the time I pray to my great-grandpa because he’s my motivator for it. I just pray that he’ll help me out with that.