Miss Oklahoma, Alica Clifton, was named 2nd runner up on Saturday at the Miss America Pageant 2013 in Las Vegas. Alica has been dancing most of her life which includes taking weekly classes, competing in regional, state, natiopnal and international competitions.
Although Alicia dances several methods and styles, this dance teacher was very happy to see her tap dance in the pageant finals. Alicia has placed in the top three in an international tap dance championship two different times. And at a very young age. Tap is where she really shines and is propbably one of the best tap dancers in the nation.
When she was taking classes at Karen's Kids in Midwest City, Ok at a young age, her parents had already bought in to the commitment to Alecia's passion to dance. I remember standing in Karen's studio at the time and recall Alecia's parents talking, at the time, that they had just put in a dance floor, barre and mirror into their home for her to practice.
I am sure there did come a time that she did not want to train anymore, but only for a short time because of her support team of family, teachers, coaches and friends. What people saw in this young lady was the joy on her face when she performed, and not the times she would possibly come home and complain about being too tired. Not the times she might of been discouraged or frustrated, but again the joy on her face when she performed.
Alicia did not get this far by herself and only on joy. She got this far because others saw her joy and decided to be there and help to push her and support her through the hard times. Dance performance is not easy, especially for those who are considered some of the best.
And dance is not always easy for the student that parents have said " just take it for a year or two and see if you like it". The difference is that the parents that see the joy, will not let them give it up for anything. The parents that cannot see the joy, go to the next great thing hoping they will find the joy. Not because the child does not like it, but because the parent is still looking for something they cannot see.
Congratulations to Alicia, her parents, teachers, coaches and trainers along the way that took the time to see the joy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB5bAJODUig&feature=share&list=PL5E66C4DC4E0B85A8
Academy of Fine Arts in Woodward Oklahoma offers classes for all ages in dance, music, art, tumbling, cheerleading, recreational gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, art, performance teams and an arts based educational preschool. Check out our ASPIRE Integrated School Option for K-12 as well.Call us at 405-265-6082 for more information about classes available for you or your child.
