Graduating Senior Biographies 2023

Congratulations Seniors, EDC loves you always and forever! 

Sophia Juarez

Ala Lupa

Haley Towl

SOPHIA JUAREZ

EDC is the only dance company I’ve ever known. I started dancing here when the studio opened in 2008 and have never left. This studio has been a constant in my life and is one of the reasons I am the person I am today. I have always loved to dance, even as I grew up and found other interests I continued to come back to the studio week after week because of the people at Elite. I danced competitively in middle school, but when I reached highschool I cut back to only taking rec classes. I could never fully leave dance or the studio. I can’t imagine not coming here every week and will miss it so much. Thank you to all of the dance teachers I have had over the years, you have all shaped me into the dancer I am today and I’m so thankful. Stephanie, thank you for continuously supporting me, I have always felt loved and supported by you. I will forever remember taking my first jazz class and doing a dance to the Spice girls. You continue to push me out of my shell and have helped me become more confident in myself. You will never know how much a comfort it was to come to dance and be around your infectious happy attitude. Most of all I would like to thank the girls that I have danced with over the years. It is such an honor to see you all grow up and become the amazing people and dancers that you are. I admire all of you and your dedication to the studio and each other. You have continued to be welcoming, loving and supportive and I am so grateful to have danced alongside all of you. You all have helped me in every way, even if you don’t know it. Thank you to my parents, especially my mother for supporting me and signing me up for those first dance classes, I know you had no idea what you were getting yourself into. This studio and the people in it will forever hold a special place in my heart and I’m grateful to have found a home at EDC!

Much love, Sophia Juarez

ALA LUPA

My name is Ala Lupa, and I have been dancing at Elite Dance Company for two years. In these past two years, I have learned so much from my amazing coaches and inspiring teammates. They have helped me feel loved and welcome since the very beginning, and I can't imagine having a more supportive team. Since day one, when I moved to Okemos from the suburbs of Chicago, my teammates and coaches created a safe space for me to grow as a dancer and a person. I immediately fell in love with the welcoming atmosphere and positive energy I was surrounded with. I have never felt out of place at Elite because of the amount of love we all have for one another. Even though it's only been two years, I know I have created bonds that will truly last a lifetime. This studio is my second home, my safe place, and my stress reliever. I could always count on my teammates to make me laugh at every practice and turn the bad days into good ones. My coaches, Stephanie, Jaime, and Kathryn, have shaped me into the dancer and person I am today, and I am forever grateful for everything they have taught me. I have achieved so many of my personal dance goals that I have never imagined being able to accomplish before joining this studio, all because of my hardworking, talented coaches. They taught me how to be confident in my dancing and inspired me to keep working hard. I will forever be thankful for the family I have at Elite and the amount of support I have received during my time here. I have never felt so loved. This fall, I plan on attending Michigan State University and studying education. I want to inspire my future students, be someone they can look up to, and impact their lives just like my coaches at Elite did for me. I will always keep my Elite family in my heart and love all the memories we have created together. 

-Ala Lupa 

HALEY TOWL

When I walked into my first ever class at Elite 10 years ago, I never would have guessed that I would still be dancing to this day. It was the sense of family here at the studio that kept me coming back every single year, wanting to do more dances and eventually join the competition team. 

Becoming a part of this team was one of the best decisions I have ever made, to say the least. I have learned and grown so much every day because of this experience. I had the best role models to guide me and the most supportive teammates by my side. I have so, so much thanks to give to everyone who is a part of this loving community. Starting with Stephanie, I cannot thank you enough for believing in me and always supporting me no matter what. We have grown so close over the years and our bond means so much to me. Next, Jaime, you have been such a positive light in my life! You always kept me working hard and helped me stay in the right mindset. Kathryn, I know we only met this year, but you have treated me with nothing but kindness and I cannot thank you enough for that. To my family, you have made all of these years of dance possible and I know that wasn't always easy. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love and being there to help me and support me every step of the way. Last but certainly not least, all of my amazing teammates, you guys have no idea how much you mean to me. We have become so close over all of these years, spending basically every waking moment together, and every single one of you feels like a sister to me. Thank you so much to my Elite family for making my senior year so special and memorable.

Next year I plan to attend Michigan State University. As I move on with my life, EDC will always have a place in my heart and I will not forget the role that every single one of you had in shaping the person I have become today. 

-Haley Towl