Senior Reflections

Karina Her

Karina has always had a passion for dance growing up. She first started her dance journey when she joined the Irondale Dance Team in 7th grade and continued until 8th grade. She then joined the Irondale Fall Performance Team in 9th grade and has been on the team since. She has been a dedicated dancer on the team for 6 years now.

Karina’s advice to all of you is to be your true authentic self. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from being who you truly are. Embrace your uniqueness and surround yourself with people who support you.

Karina would like to thank the Irondale Dance Team and the Irondale Fall Performance Team for all the countless memories, competitions, showcases, and especially the dance skills she has learned from all her amazing coaches she’s had these past years. She would also like to thank Coach Emily and Coach Julia for putting up with all of the dancers, being patient, supportive, and believing in each and every one of them. Lastly, Karina would like to make a special thank you to her mom and dad who have supported her throughout her dance career by being her biggest supporters both on and off the field.

After graduation, Karina plans on attending college to major in sonography with a goal to become a pediatric sonographer.

Nyande Kpasie

Nyande has always had a passion for dancing ever since she was a little girl. She began her dance journey in 8th grade when she joined the Irondale Winter Dance Team. This year marks her fourth and final year on the team, making it a very special season for her.

Nyande’s advice to all of the younger dancers is enjoy every minute of high school because it really does go by fast. And don’t be afraid to ask questions because that’s how you grow.

Nyande would like to thank Coach Emily and Coach Julia for stepping into this role and making every season so amazing. She is incredibly grateful for all the time, effort, and energy they have put into the team. And she would also like to thank all the girls on the team who have made this and every season so special and given her memories to look back on for a lifetime.

Nyande would also like to thank her mom, Mattu Songa, for always supporting her throughout her dance journey. Thank you for always being there, encouraging her, and cheering her on through every performance and every season. She is so grateful for all the love, support, and sacrifices you have made for her.

After graduation, Nyande is planning on attending a four-year college where she will major in nursing.

Samiya Edwards

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Cami Cionca

Cami has always loved to dance anytime, anywhere. She started dance at 4 years old with Jam Hops. Cami joined the Irondale Dance Team in 10th grade. She tried to be on the team her 11th grade year, but the school wouldn’t let her because she no longer attended Irondale. She came back for her senior year!

Cami’s advice to all of the younger dancers is to be yourself and don’t worry about the people watching. Enjoy high school while you’re here, and never let anyone tell you who you are or who you should be.

Cami would like to thank her mom and dad for always being there for her, always supporting her, and always letting her be her true self.

After graduation, Cami plans on going to trade school and becoming an underwater welder.

Destiny Thomas

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Jazzmyne Tobako

Jazzmyne joined the Winter Dance Team her 8th grade year and then joined the Fall Dance Team her sophomore year and continued doing it from there. She’s been doing dance for 5 years now and has loved doing it ever since.

Jazzmyne’s advice to all of you younger dancers is don’t be embarrassed to go full out just because people are watching. Always give it your all. You are good enough. Don’t compare yourself to others. As long as you are doing your best, that is enough. Dance like every time is your last. Don’t waste a moment.

Jazzmyne wants to thank Coach Emily, Coach Julia, and all the girls on the team for being so wonderful to her and everyone else. Jazzmyne really doesn’t know what she would do without this team. When she comes to practice or to perform at games, it’s wonderful to just forget everything going on at home and just be able to do something she loves and be with people she enjoys being around.

She wanted to thank everyone for everything they do for this team and making her last year so incredible.

After graduation, Jazzmyne is planning on attending college and majoring in Sonography to be an ultrasound tech.

Maria Fozao

Since Maria was young, she always had a passion for dancing. She joined the dance team in 8th grade and she never left. This marks her 5th year being on the Dance Team.

Maria’s advice to all the younger dancers is to surround yourself with people who encourage you to do your best and support you when things get rough. And never be scared to talk to new people.

Maria would like to give a big thank you to her coaches Emily and Julia for always pushing her to be the best dancer she could be. She would also like to give thanks to the Dance Team for all the memories she got to make. And a special thank you to her family for supporting her and bringing her to every dance event.

After high school, Maria plans on attending a four-year university where she will study education and eventually become a teacher.

Hailey Linsmeier

Growing up, Hailey has always been a danceaholic, from TikTok dances to studio dance. She joined Metro Dance Center when she was five years old and performed tap, ballet, and jazz until 2021 due to the pandemic. Then she joined the Irondale Dance Team her sophomore year and has loved doing it since.

Hailey’s advice to all the younger dancers is to never give up on yourself even when things get tough and be true to yourself. Appreciate the little things in life and never take anything for granted.

Hailey wants to specifically shout out and thank her grandmother for always being her biggest supporter in life. Pushing her to always pursue her passion, this wouldn’t be possible without you. She also wants to thank her family and friends for always showing up and being there for her, even through the rough times. As well as thanking everyone on the team for being so kind, fun, and supportive.

Lastly, thank you Coach Emily and Coach Julia for always pushing us to succeed and for making the dance experience enjoyable.

After graduation, Hailey plans on attending college to major in psychology to then be a child therapist.

Lily Carlson

Lily has always had a love for dancing her whole life. She started dancing for Happy Feet Dance Studio in 6th grade, then joined the Irondale Winter Competitive Dance Team in 7th grade. She has been dancing a total of 7 years now.

Lily’s favorite part about being on the team has always been attending all of the practices, team bonding activities, and making new friendships with people on the team.

Lily would also like to give a huge thanks to Coaches Emily and Julia for always pushing her to be her best self, not only in dance but also with just everything in general.

After high school, Lily plans to pursue becoming a cosmetologist at Aveda and opening her own business. This is also a huge thanks to all of her friends, teachers, and family for also pushing her to be her best self and always being there for support.

LeTron Clark

LeTron Clark Jr. is just a genuine soul. I admire the spark he has in trying activities that are not typical for a male or as a young black teenage boy.  He has always exhibited a level of confidence and pride within himself that is infectious to others.  His kindness is always immediately felt along with a beautiful smile.  I have always admired his strength to think for himself, his business acumen and wiliness to go for it.  I look forward to watching the next phase of his life as he embraces all the GOD given gifts that has been bestowed upon him.  I look forward to the journey of my son, a great business man in the making.

Selina Cruz

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Katelyn Terwey

Katelyn is proud to be celebrating her fourth season with the Irondale Fall Performance Team, as well as two seasons with Irondale’s Winter Dance Team during her 8th and 9th grade years.

Katelyn currently attends 916, where she is studying to become an esthetician. When she’s not dancing, you’ll likely find her spending time with family, cuddling her dogs, or enjoying a shopping trip on Mom’s dime.

She would like to thank her mom, dad, older brother Nick, and everyone who has supported her over the years.

After graduation, she looks forward to pursuing her passion for nails and beauty. She looks forward to turning her lifelong love of beauty products into a career, one fresh set of nails at a time.

Megan Mapima

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