Senior Lauren deLeon has been dancing for 14 years at Applause Studio in Bothell and it has been a second home for the 11 of her 14 years dancing.

She has taken classes in tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre. Her passion is in Ballet and Hip Hop.

“My favorite part about hip hop is getting on stage and acting like someone else,” deLeon said.

There are two showcases a year for studio. They have a recital where all the classes from the studio preform in a large show to highlight what the classes have been working on for the year. She has taken part of 22 showcases in her career. Two of those have been at Valley View Middle School and two at Glacier Peak High School.

“This year is my last recital and I’m really excited because I have a senior solo to say farewell to the studio,” deLeon said

Her favorite recitals include her 2016 ballet performance where she was a stepsister from the story of Cinderella.

“I had a really full blue skirt, sparkly blue corset top, long sheer flowing sleeves, floral head piece that wrapped around the thousands of braids in my hair and the ugliest necklace that was just big blue flowers. It was horrible but it was great at the same time,” DeLeon said.

Being a Senior Lauren, is going off to college next year and leaving her dance studio. She hopes to use dance in her life from here on. She will minor in something in the field such as musical theatre or choreography, but overall wants to major with something in the arts.

Dance has shaped her into the person she is today.