At the end of each year, Mrs. K Lewis presents a dance show ranging from Jazz, hip-hop, Ballet, and more!
As everyone prepares for the show, the pressure is building up. Especially for DeAndra Gray, a (senior). According to DeAndra, she states that she is nervous about her senior solo.
As she prepares for her last solo in high school, she feels a mix of emotions. This solo holds a strong meaning for her because it represents more than just a final performance; it’s a reflection of all the difficult things she has faced. The song she chose (“Ashes” by Celine Dion) is deeply personal. It is dedicated to heartbreak, hurtful words, the loss of her dad, and the many times she has felt like she failed.
Losing her dad was one of the hardest experiences of her life. His passing changed everything, and she didn’t know how to cope. The song helps her remember him and express the emotions that are hard to put into words. Every time she listens to it, she thinks about the sadness, but also about how she has continued to push through even when it felt like too much.
DeAndra has faced many moments where she felt she wasn’t good enough. For example: in school, friendships, and even dance. But as she dances to this song, it feels like she is telling the story of how those failures helped her grow stronger.
In addition to these personal struggles, she also has to overcome a knee injury that requires surgery. Although DeAndra is not supposed to be dancing due to the injury, she believes that through faith and determination, she can push through the pain and continue to perform. She gives thanks to God for giving her the strength to keep going, and believes that it is through his help that she has been able to reach this moment.
Despite the obstacles in her way, she has found a path to keep moving forward. “This performance serves as a way to show how far I have come despite everything. It is a celebration of my strength, acknowledging both my struggles and the lessons I’ve learned along the way”, senior DeAndra Gray.
Though she is not perfect, each mistake has shaped who she is today. She now realizes that every setback taught her something important while also showing her the obstacles you have to overcome in life.
For her, this solo is more than just a performance. It’s a way to say goodbye to high school while honoring her dad and rising above everything. It’s her “moment to truly reflect on everything she’s been through and how it has made her stronger”, DeAndra Gray.
