Cecillia Stover is well on her way of pursuing a dream to become a choreographer.
The Rochelle Township High School sophomore has been dancing since she was two years old, starting with programs at the park district and enrolling in classes with a local dance group Just For Kix.
Stover participated in competitions with the RTHS varsity dance team and has started taking classes at a dance studio, usually practicing two hours a day, six days a week. Performances are done locally, but the competitions, says Stover, can go outside of the state.
“My goal is to continue a career in dance after school,” Stover said. “I already began this dream by instructing multiple classes at Just For Kix and coaching the Rochelle Junior Tackle dance teams. After high school I hope to further my training in dance and make a living by being a traveling choreographer.”
Life changing
Recently Stover received word she has been accepted into a four-week dance program at the world-renown Joffrey Dance Company in New York City in July. After auditioning with over 50 other girls of different ages and levels, Stover admits the news she was accepted into the program was exciting.

“I felt like my dreams in life are actually going to be possible some day, this school will open so many other doors for me,” Stover said. “Being able to experience the Joffrey Summer Intensive will mean so much to me and my future.”
Stover will be attending Joffrey’s NYC Jazz/Contemporary program that includes cutting edge contemporary, modern, improv, hip hop and theater dance.
“The program pushes dancers beyond the realm of their current technique and tradition,” noted on the Joffrey Ballet website. “Dancers will explore new ideas of movement and artistic excellence in creating the art of motion. The intensive culminates in a life changing performance in a major NYC theater venue.”
A place to belong to
Stover’s mother, Lydia, is proud of her accomplishments, admitting she is slightly nervous sending her daughter to New York City for almost a month.
“I put her in dance at a young age and by chance she loved and perfected it,” Lydia said. “She’s excited beyond words [to attend Joffrey] for the opportunity. I couldn’t be more proud. She has a dream and has always been willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.”
Stover said dancing is really all she ever knew, having started it so early in life. As she got older, she realized the dance studio is where she belongs, even though it is physically and mentally demanding.
“Sometimes you have to be able to memorize as many as six different three-minute routines,” Stover said. “Dancers push our bodies to a certain extent that many sports don’t require. We expect muscles and limbs to be able to stretch behind our heads, and if they don’t we keep pushing until they do.”
Fundraiser
Stover’s family and friends are holding a fundraiser on Saturday, May 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hickory Grove Banquet Center in Paddock Hall. There will be entertainment, cash bar, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and other great raffle items. All donations and funds raised from the event will go towards the cost of the program and her room and board.
Stover will be attending the jazz/contemporary program at Joffrey, which also focuses on ballet and many other styles to keep us well rounded. The experience is sure to create memories of a lifetime, which will undoubtedly add to those from years of dancing.
“The most memorable thing about dancing is just the relationships you create with your teammates and instructors,” Stover said. “I wouldn’t change my dance family for the world.”