In honor of the sixth annual Showstopper Day celebration, April 21, 2026, Showstopper Magazine Online is once again publishing our readers’ stories. With our second annual Showstopper Day Essay contest, we asked dancers ages 10-18 to share their stories and perspectives.
After reviewing so many fabulous essays and battling laughter, excitement, and even tears to select finalists and then winners, we are excited to share the winners of the contest. These six incredible essays are Showstopper Day at its finest. You can find the winners below and click the titles of each of their essays to share in our excitement and celebrate Showstopper Day through their eyes.
Showstopper Day Essay Contest Winners
We would like to congratulate these five writers on sharing compelling essays that thoughtfully responded to their selected prompt and asked us to consider their perspective with personality and detail.
“More Than a Score”
Mikaiya Dougherty, Age 15
Center Stage Studio
Prompt: “What was your biggest dance moment of the last year? Why?”
“More Than One”
Audrey Tinloy, Age 16
Trudance
Prompt: “What dance skill has challenged you the most? What lesson did it teach you?”
“Standing Outside in My Ivory Leotard with Pink Accents”
Ella Beharry, Age 13
The Tate Academy
Prompt: “What was your favorite Showstopper dance performance and why?”
“Improvisation has been the Most Challenging Skill for Me as a Dancer”
Abigail Cherian, Age 18
Kinetic Movement IE
Prompt: “What dance skill has challenged you the most? What lesson did it teach you?”
“Who I Cherish Most in the Dance Community”
Ava Walts, Age 14
Just Dance Academy
Prompt: “Who do you most cherish in your dance community? Why?”
Showstopper Day Crystal Essay Award Winner
We would like to congratulate one writer for capturing the spirit of Showstopper Day by exploring a personal relationship with dance and extending that enthusiasm to others with care and emotion.
“Cherish the Audience”
Elina Tsai, Age 16
Chinese Dance Company of Southern California
Prompt: “Who do you most cherish in your dance community? Why?”
Honorable Mentions
With so many submissions, selecting these essays was a difficult task. Each essay had something unique to offer, from descriptions of triumphant moments to heart-wrenching struggles. The following dancers shared stories that pushed them into our “finalists” category before final selections were made.
Showstopper Day Essay Contest Honorable Mentions
Mackenzie Leykauf
Veronica Shafir
Sydney Fitzgerald
Emily Fuerst
Alyssa Higgins
Addison Saunders
Halle Gerth
Violet Hoeger
Savanna Hicks
Hayden Cain
Lexi McKay
Emily Villatoro
Melissa Colaiacovo
Lyric Porter
Jocelyn Curnutte
Madeline Spillman
Brianna Lopez
Lexi Burdick
Audrey McCallon
Gianna Beluzo
Anvi Kumar
Showstopper Day Crystal Essay Award Honorable Mention
Xiangting Ren
