In honor of the fifth annual Showstopper Day celebration, April 21, 2025, we decided to open up Showstopper Magazine Online to the dancers who read our articles daily. We dedicate our time to writing to you, and we wanted to give you an opportunity to write to us. With our first-ever Showstopper Day Essay contest, we asked dancers ages 10-18 to share their stories and perspectives, giving you a chance at publication as well as some other great prizes.
After reviewing many, many fabulous essays, we are excited to share the winners of the contest: six incredible essays that made us think, tear up, and shout “Yes!” You can find the winners below and click the titles of each of their essays to share in our excitement and celebrate Showstopper Day with 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.
“I Started at 17”Kamori Dillard, Age 17 Teresa’s School of DancePrompt: “How has dance shaped your confidence or sense of self?”
“Crystal Dreams, Bruised Feet”Bryana Maximo, Age 14Cary Dance ProductionsPrompt: “What is one aspect of being a dancer that most people don’t understand?”
“Most People Grow Up Going to School, Coming Home, Doing Homework, and Sleeping for the Rest of Their Day.”Anthony Shafir, Age 14 Brooklynite Elite Dance ComplexPrompt: “What is one aspect of being a dancer that most people don’t understand?”
“Shadows and Spotlights”Xiangting Ren, Age 17Bay Dance CollectivePrompt: “How has dance shaped your confidence or sense of self?”
“Most People Think that Being a Dancer is About What Happens on Stage, the Costumes, the Stage Lights, and the Applause.”Ella Hootman, Age 17Encore Dance AcademyPrompt: “What is one aspect of being a dancer that most people don’t understand?”
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.
“Do You Love to Dance?”Kori Paugh, Age 15Statesville Dance and Performing ArtsPrompt: “How has dance impacted your relationship with your community?”
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
Reese FisherLogan NichollsHayden PatenaudeElizabeth DeckerElla BeharryBrynn WislockiElizabeth WallaceMakaila MolineKristin OzunaKaleigh KonopkaJuliet BurkaRiver CarterAmelia GreeneEmerson TaylorElina TsaiKeita ForresterGilana Knight
Showstopper Day Crystal Essay Award Honorable Mention
Delilah Claire Hadyk