The late dancer and choreographer, Agnes DeMille, once addressed that “to dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.” I agree. Growing up, and still to date, I have been very fortunate with the opportunities I have been given-one of which is my dance-life. I say dance-life because yes, dance has taken over my life, but not in the way one would imagine. From hours of rehearsals and technique classes, to competitions and recitals, and assisting the younger dancers to love and flourish in the art, all of these hours combined will never fully amount to the priceless morals and friendships I have received that will follow me throughout life. Yes, a price can be put on dance technique, but the determination and self-confidence I have gained; this team I call my second family is worth so much more to me. Dancing has taught me to feel comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. I have always found myself a bit ‘awkward’. I have been told I am awkward and ill-spoken. When in conversation, words do not come easily to me. But when I dance, when I am standing in that studio side to side with people just like me who are there for the same purpose, I feel differently. I feel alive and free to be me. Movement speaks. This contentment, but never true content as for the aspiration to inspire and to be inspired, it shapes bonds unlike no other. Subsequently, if I were asked what dance has done for me? Well that’s easy-dance has given me a place in this world to reach new limits and push myself. It has given me determination and self-confidence that no other sport could. It has made the imaginable, maginable. Thank you dance.