Gathering Her Thoughts
Ella Peretz Gonzalez (’25) takes a deep breath, running through the routine in her head. She leans in close to the mirror, applying a deep red lip tint with a slow, precise swipe. The gym is only minutes away, but her mind is already on the floor—counting beats, mapping formations, visualizing every turn.
“I always run through the routine in my head like muscle memory. It calms me down. Kind of like a ritual.” –Gonzalez
Reflection of a Dancer
Gonzalez lingers in front of the mirror a moment longer. The back of her T-shirt reads “Gonzalez” in bold white letters. Her eyes meet her reflection, and she exhales, finally turning toward the door. The RHS Dance Team is performing at the half time of the varsity Girls Basketball game. Tonight, all eyes will be on Gonzalez as she stands front and center before the gym bleachers filled with fans.
Stepping into the Night
Gonzalez steps onto the porch, varsity jacket zipped up against the cold. Her keys jingle as she locks the door behind her. The porch light’s yellow glow casts a warm glow. The air is sharp, but her stride is sure.
Warming Up, Letting Go
Inside the auxiliary gym, Gonzalez stretches and loosens up on the hardwood floor, side by side with her teammates. She waves her hand up in the air, going through motions from the choreography. The room is buzzing with low conversation and light laughter. She shakes out her wrists and does a couple more moves before running through the routine, while Girls Basketball plays on the court in the adjacent, main gym. Hearing the buzzers from the main gym, Gonzalez and her friends look at each other one last time before heading out.
“What I’ll miss most isn’t the spotlight, it’s this. The warmups, the dumb jokes, the weird energy. It’s like our own little world back here.” –Gonzalez
The Calm Before the First Move
It’s now half time for the game and time for the dance team to perform. Gonzalez stands still, hands clasped in front of her, eyes closed just for a second.
“I love the feeling right before a performance. There’s this stillness. Then everything flips the second you hear the music.” –Gonzalez
Commanding the Floor
The music blares, and they’re off. Gonzalez hits every movement with sharp clarity—precise, grounded, fully present. She doesn’t smile for the crowd; she dances for herself. As the routine builds, she moves with control and intensity. This isn’t just choreography—it’s storytelling. Her technique is sharp, but what stands out is how deeply she means it.
“I used to think I loved dance because I was good at it. But I stayed because it gave me people, purpose, something to look forward to every day.” —Gonzalez
Dancing with Purpose
The team holds up the word “LOVE” mid-routine. Gonzalez lifts her arms in sync, the lighting catching on the glitter in her eyeshadow. It’s a simple gesture, but the crowd reacts instantly. As the RHS dance team members lift up the word, their message is clear; this performance is about more than just movement. Through every routine, they strive to spread positivity, unity and school spirit, using dance as a way to bring people together.
“This team taught me how to push myself, how to lead and honestly, how to be okay messing up sometimes. That’s what made it feel real.” –Gonzalez
More Than Just a Routine
For Gonzalez, dance has always been more than just performing; it has also been a way to express herself, to inspire others and to build a community. As she moves through her final high school routine, every turn and leap carries the lessons she has learned: discipline, passion and the power of storytelling through movement. This performance isn’t just an ending; it’s a celebration of everything dance has given her.
The Final Pose
As the routine ends, Gonzalez strikes her last pose with confidence, her chest rising and falling from the adrenaline. She holds it for just a beat longer than necessary, then she finally releases. Her chest rises; her fists relax. The crowd is on its feet before the music even cuts. The crowd roars, and in that moment, she knows she gave it everything she had.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
As the gym clears out, Gonzalez lingers for a moment, staring at the court where she has danced so many times before. The echoes of the game and the performance fade, but the feeling stays with her. This is the perfect ending to a chapter in life she’ll never forget.
“It’s weird knowing that was my last one. But honestly? I’m proud. Not just of the dance, but of everything that led to it.” –Gonzalez
