Leah Bush, Hillsborough High senior
Dancer

At 3, I hated dance. It wasn’t until I was almost 4 that I began to like it and eventually love it. At 4, I danced to Disney’s A Whole New World (from Aladdin). It is my earliest memory of performing, and because of that, it is my favorite performance. Even after 15 years of dancing and performing, I still love the rush of pure adrenaline and happiness that I get, whether it’s for a field show during a football game or at a studio recital, before each performance.

My mom is the one to thank for my love of dance. Not only is she my biggest support, but she is also the one who got me hooked on dance. She always said she would have a daughter who dances. Despite her passion for my dancing, she is still concerned only with my happiness. When I decided to stop dancing at my studio this year, she supported me. The hardest part was knowing that I wouldn’t be able to give my mom one last studio recital performance.

I will be dancing in the future. My ultimate dream is to be a Radio City Rockette; the first time I saw them I was in awe. After performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, I went to see them. When the curtain came up, I started crying. I wanted to be up there with them. Despite my passion to be a Rockette, I have many other plans just in case. When I go to UCF I’m going to try out for their dance team, KnightMoves, and possibly dance at Disney. Another plan I have is to try out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.  

Just like my mother, I will have children who will dance.  

As told to Rachel Mowat, Hillsborough High