NOTE( PLEASE DO NOT DONATE MONEY THIS IS  FREE, WE JUST WANT TO BE HEARD)

My name is Lusy and I've been a dancer at IAA for the past 6 almost 7 years I've been captain three of those years consecutively , and all these years I was training for my now senior year so I can show my true potential and how much I care for dance in my solo. Although Im very hard on myself its not because I think less of myself but because Ms. Schug  has shown me these past few years that if you push yourself to challenges you never thought you can do, the feeling of accomplishment and proudness you get from seeing your friends along with yourself complete goals that some would say were " impossible " is incredibly phenomenal. I started dance when I was in 6th grade because I used to get bullied for my looks and I wanted a way to express myself and feel confident. Dance made that possible for me, whenever I felt down or lost in school or just in life in general all I had to do was walk to the third floor and get on that mat. Dance has shown me to be more serious about my priorities, how to set goals for myself, how to mange my grades as well as not get overwhelmed at school, how to show compassion and true sportsmanship for others, it's shown me to love myself with every flaw I have and last but definitely not least Dance has shown me how beautiful a group of kids from different backgrounds help and encourage each other, not only improving and evolving independently but as a community.

  The issue here as many or some may know, Dance is no longer counted as an elective but as a afterschool club instead. The problem here is that so many young children and upcoming young adults look at dance as a way of freedom ,a way to express yourself ,its art , it tells stories, it moves people to become more motivated and excited in there daily lives. Dance isn't just about choreographing and cute ballet moves. Dance is a sport that gets looked over cause we show grace in the way we move. Dance prepares you for the real world in many ways including, working together as a group, spilling out creative and unique ideas not only for Dance but the other Arts too, it prepares you to take constructive criticism and improve on it. When you think about IAA you think about the sports, the education and the arts but no one talks about how Dance is the SOUL of our school, it's what keeps us together and excited for school events. My question for you is, why would you want to rip the opportunity of many young children wanting to pursue their dreams and aspirations for their future selfs, or the passion and soul that keeps the school alive and cheerful. 

  Please keep in mind we have built a family and safety net for those who don't have one at home. Consider all the seniors who have worked extremely hard to be here, consider all the juniors who won't have the opportunity to show their true potential, think about the sophomores and freshman who might have just started dance these last two years but have put in just has much effort as everyone maybe even more cause they fight for their spot on a daily basis and they don't complain and thats exactly what keeps us motivated and striving. I am writing this petition on behalf of the whole IAA DANCE DEPT because we all have our own story about how we fell in-love with dance and why this is so unfair and cruel to those who want this has their future and will pursue this after high school.

  Im not asking for crazy upgrades, we are simply asking for the decency of keeping our passion alive, please consider this and read this from OUR perspective because we whole heartily feel heartbroken with this decision and the fact that we have no say in our own futures when we are supposed to be a community and stand as one.