There’s a quiet moment before every National Dance Honor Society induction where I look around and think, people have no idea how much heart lives inside this room. Some still see dance as just an after-school activity—as if what we do falls somewhere between a hobby and a pastime. Shucks, I still often get asked in a high pitch voice “you still doing that dance thing?” as if my whole adult career I chose glitter and rhinestones….well I did…But we know better;).
Behind every dancer that was honored stands years of discipline. Late nights after homework. Sacrifices made for rehearsals. Bruised toes, tired muscles, notebooks full of goals, and a standard that they have come to expect that never lets them settle for less than their best. I’ve watched dancers in the back hallway laptops out, I’ve seen them homework spread; they are pretty much marathon runners going from activity to activity and YET they do it not because they had to, but because they chose to. That’s not a hobby. That is commitment. That is grit. That is leadership in motion.
That is why Level Up became the first National Dance Honor Society Chapter in our area. We didn’t wait for someone else to start it. We didn’t wait for permission. We saw a need—to ensure that the academic, artistic, and leadership achievements of dancers would finally be recognized—and we stepped forward. Because if we truly believe dance builds character, then it deserves a space in the world that honors it accordingly.
From the beginning, our Chapter has been built on purpose—not profit. We don’t charge our families to participate. We don’t fundraise to cover it. Mr. Adam and I invest in it ourselves. And for me, it’s personal. As a high school dancer myself, I remember the sacrifices, the choices, and the level of commitment it took to keep training while balancing everything else. I know exactly what it costs to become the artist and athlete these dancers are today. That deserves to be recognized—school activity or not. These young leaders earn their way in, not by popularity, but through service, integrity, academic effort, and commitment to their craft. That is worth honoring the right way—with heart, with standards, and with intention.
And here’s what I love most: since we began, many studios in our community have also launched chapters. Some might see that as competition. I don’t. I see it as impact. When you lead boldly and do what is right for students, others follow—not because they are chasing you, but because leadership invites courage. More dancers being celebrated. More families feeling seen. More educators advocating for our art and its place in education. That’s a win for every child who has ever laced up a jazz shoe, sewn a pointe ribbon, or stepped into a studio that felt like home.
John C. Maxwell says, “If you can impact 10% of a population, you can eventually change an entire community.” I believe that is exactly what’s happening. Our NDHS members are showing up in their schools and lives as quiet, resilient leaders—the kind who raise the standard without needing applause. They don’t just earn credentials. They earn respect. They live it. And that ripples outward—far beyond the studio walls.
To this year’s inductees: you are proof of what happens when dedication meets purpose. Your work ethic, your character, your example—this is what inspires others to rise. This is what keeps the mission of Level Up alive. Keep shining. Keep leading. Keep dancing forward.
Congratulations, Champions.
XOXO,
Miss Jennifer
