Arizona Dance Education Organization (AZDEO), an affiliate to the National Dance Education Organization, recently held an essay competition for dancers to write how dance inspires their future goals. The essay contest is made to advocate for dance education in the state of Arizona. The first place prize is $150 to go towards the dance department of the winner’s school.

Recently, sophomore Isabelle Call entered the contest after hearing about it from Perry dance teacher Fara Sadler. Call said “I really didn’t expect to win, but I thought I would give it a shot.”

“Her winning essay, entitled ‘All Thanks to Dance,” addressed the theme how dance inspires you to reach future goals,” Sadler says.

The $150 prize will go towards Isabelle’s expenses for tour. “During dance tour students take master classes from dance professionals and attend performances of prestigious dance companies,” Sadler says.

The essay contest will not only assist the Perry dance department in their journey to tour, but also help Call in her future as a dancer and student. “It will help me be able to have the experience of going on tour and also look good on college applications for my future,” Call says.

Classmate and fellow dancer, sophomore Bria Welch says, “Isabelle is an extremely hardworking individual and she always comes into class with tons of energy.”

With a bright future as a dancer, the winning of the contest will surely assist Call in her future. Welch says, “if she keeps with it, I think  she has a big future as a really good dancer.”