As our 22.23 season draws to a close, we want to recognize and celebrate our 2023 Seniors. One of our favorite experiences as dance educators is getting to walk alongside you during this pinnacle year of your dance journey. Some of you we have gotten to know in recent years, and others we have had the opportunity to watch grow up within our walls. Every single one of you is a treasure God has beautifully crafted, and we are so thankful you have allowed us to be a part of your journey. We are in awe of who you have become, and we are grateful for the imprint you have left on Nebraska Dance. Our encouragement to you is to lean on lessons from your dance journey to help you take each step, no matter whether your next ambition takes you through hills or valleys. And most of all, keep your eyes fixed on the beauty God wants you to experience each day.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be there with you wherever you go.
Thank you for being a cherished part of Nebraska Dance. We love how God made you; you have forever impacted ND. We are so proud of you and we can’t wait to see you spread your wings!
Meet our 2023 Seniors
Libby A. is graduating from Westside High School, and is heading to Creighton this fall to study Elementary Education. Nebraska Dance has always been Libby’s place where she can let go of all her stress and just have fun!
Audrey B. Is graduating from Burke High School and will attend the University of Kansas in the fall to study Neuroscience. Audrey said “I’m so grateful for all the opportunities ND has given me and all the support I have received. ND will always hold a special place in my heart!”
Emma B. will be attending the University of Nebraska to major in biochemistry on the pre-med track! She is a graduate of Fremont High School. Emma says that Nebraska Dance is like her second home. She’s been able to meet some of her best friends and she truly will miss everything about this place!
Hazel C. is a graduate of Elkhorn South High School. She will be majoring in Information Technology Management and minoring in Psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Hazel says, “When I think of Nebraska Dance, I think of my home away from home for the last 13 years. From ballet with Magali on Wednesday nights to endless competition weekends with my best friends, I’m so incredibly grateful for the people I’ve met, the memories I’ve made, and the lessons I’ve learned during my time here. I would not trade my experience at ND for the world, and although I’m going to miss it, I know I’ll always carry a piece of this community with me for the rest of my life.”
Holly C. will study nursing at UNO and is also a new member of the Mavericks Dance Team. She is a graduate of Gretna High School, and had this to say about ND: “Nebraska Dance has been my family and home since the day I was born. There truly is no place like it. I will never have enough words to thank every single person there.”
Aisha E. will attend the University of Nebraska Lincoln, majoring in Psychology on the Pre Law track. She is a graduate of Marian High School. Aisha shared that “Nebraska dance holds so many fun memories for me. I have made such amazing lifelong friends. Nebraska Dance allows me to be myself and dance with the people I love!”
Elizabeth F. is graduating from Marian High School. She will be attending Creighton University to study finance. Elizabeth shared that “Nebraska Dance is a place where I can go to forget about the stressful things in my life. It is where I have made so many friends and created memories I will carry with me forever. Through dance, I have learned to express myself and channel my emotions into something positive. I will miss Nebraska Dance greatly, but I know I will take the many lessons I have learned here with me wherever I go.”
Thea G. is moving on from Elkhorn South High School and going to Grand Canyon University and studying Marine Biology. Thea says “Nebraska Dance is my second home. I have made lifelong friendships and am grateful for all the opportunities and growth I have had as a dancer.”
Caroline L. is graduating from Skutt Catholic High School. She will attend the University of Nebraska Omaha, majoring in Secondary Education. Caroline said that “Nebraska Dance is a family. We are always there for one another through absolutely everything dance related or not and I could not be more thankful to call this place my home. I would not trade my time at Nebraska Dance for anything in the world.”
Graci L. will be attending The University of Mississippi majoring in business and entrepreneurship. She is also joining the Ole Miss Rebelettes dance team. Graci shared that “When I think of Nebraska Dance, I think of family! Being a part of something so special for the past 12 years has shaped me into the person I am today. It’s given me friendships that will last a lifetime and a home I know I can always come back to! I’ll miss ND so much but I’ll cherish the memories forever!”
Hailey L. is graduating from Marian High School. She will be attending the University of South Dakota and studying Kinesiology with further education in becoming a Physical Therapist. Hailey says “I have enjoyed my time here, my teachers and fellow dancers are like family. I love them all.”
Ellie L. is a graduate of Concordia High School. She will be attending Texas Christian University and plans on studying business and psychology. Ellie told us “Nebraska Dance means everything to me. It has been my second home since I was 2 and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. The lessons I’ve learned at ND and the relationships it’s provided me with are so special to me and I will miss being in such an amazing environment everyday. I’m so thankful for the staff who continually pour into us all and for ND being my family for so long! #NDC4LIFE”
Jo M. is graduating from Millard North High School. She plans on taking community college classes for a year, then hopefully transfering to University of Arizona as a dance major. Jo shared that “These past three years at Nebraska Dance have taught me so much. The teachers, students, and my peers gave me so much support and really pushed me to keep trying. I give thanks to everyone who is there for me.”
Jasmine M. is a graduate of Elkhorn South High School. She will attend the University of Nebraska Kearney, Pre Physical Therapy. Jasmine says “To me Nebraska Dance means family. I have grown up in this studio and all of my family has gone through Nebraska Dance. I feel like some weeks I spend more time at the studio than I do at my own house. I am constantly around the people and I have grown to love being there.”
Isabella M. is graduating from Elkhorn South High School. She will be attending Iowa State University to major in industrial design in hopes of being a product designer. Isabella said that “Nebraska dance has been my second home for more than 11 years. I have created a great relationship with all the dancers and teachers and the environment there makes you feel so loved.”
Bryanna O. will be attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona starting in the fall of 2023, and will be majoring in Behavioral Health Science or Psychology. She is a graduate of Omaha Central High School. When asked what ND means to her, she said “It means everything to me. It’s like my second home. When I go to class, I feel comfortable and am in a familiar place. Through all the ups and downs I have experienced in life, dance has always been there since I was 4. It’s always been an outlet to express myself and be happy.”
Sam P. is graduating from Millard South High School and plans on attending Grand Canyon University to study forensic science. Sam said “Nebraska Dance is like a second home! Even though my time here was short lived, I really believe I made a second family!”
Meg P. is a graduate of Westside High School. She will attend Marquette. Meg shared that “Nebraska Dance will always have a special place in my heart because it’s where I learned to enjoy dancing. I have used my training in show choir and theater and it’s because I loved dance that I continue to do these activities. Nebraska Dance has given me my best friends.”
Camryn P. will be studying Biomechanics at UNO. She is graduating from Millard North High School. Camryn says “Nebraska Dance is a place that has allowed me to meet new people, express myself, and has brought me happiness.”
Ava R. is a graduate of Gretna High School. After graduation she plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She is majoring in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Pharmacy, and is also a member of the GCU Dance Team. Ava said “Nebraska Dance means many different things to me! I’ve learned how to work hard, persevere and sacrifice myself for a team that’s bigger than myself. The teachers and mentors I have at Nebraska Dance truly care for me and want the best for my future! I can not thank them enough for the time and energy they have invested. Additionally at ND I’ve gained the best of friends and grown in relationships that will last a lifetime. I feel so blessed to have been able to call Nebraska Dance my second home for the past 14 years of my life!”
Chloe’ R. is graduating from Marian High School and will attend the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Chloe’ shared that “Dance is a form of self expression that sweeps me away from all the things in my life that are stressful. Whenever I have a bad day, dance is my outlet and it gives me something in my life I feel I’m good at.”
Ella S. is graduating from Millard North High School. She will be attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln and studying Pre-Nursing. Ella is also joining the Scarlets Dance Team in Lincoln. Ella said “I cannot put into words what Nebraska Dance means to me. The relationships I have made here will last a lifetime. The teachers have made me who I am today, as a dancer and as a person. I will take the lessons I have learned here at Nebraska Dance with me for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful for the experience I have had at Nebraska Dance, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”
Marissa T. is a graduate of Westside High School. Next year she will work at lululemon and join a UNO transition program. Marissa’s favorite thing about ND is “Inclusion! Mr Grant & Stephanie Pearson have allowed and supported me to express myself through my passion of dancing to music for 15 years at Nebraska Dance.”
Abby T. is graduating from Gretna High School and will attend University of Kansas to study Visual Communications and Design Entrepreneurship. Abby said “I went to quite a few studios when I was younger trying to find my place. When I got to Nebraska Dance I fell absolutely in love with my teachers, the other dancers, and just the culture of the studio.”
Meah W. is graduating from Gretna High School and will attend the University of Iowa to study marketing. Meah says “Nebraska Dance means so much to me. It’s like a second home to me. I have made life long friends there while doing what I love, making some of the best memories, and being taught important life lessons by some of the amazing staff. It has definitely shaped me into the person I am today!”
Ben W. is graduating from Elkhorn South High School. He is taking a year to travel and will be starting with Italy this fall.
