From the moment she stepped onto the dance floor she knew who she wanted to be. Senior Starlette Clarissa Lozano has stepped into her final year at Summer Creek High School, feeling emotions like no other. Every practice, every time she steps into the dance room and every late night rehearsal now feels like putting something new in a time capsule.  

“When I lock back on all my years of dancing, the moment I hold closest to my heart is performing my solo in front of my teammates during competition season,” she said. “I spend months trying to perfect my solo so when I get to showcase all my hard work to the audience plus my loving team, it just makes all the long hours and difficult practices worth it.”

Being on a powerful team such as the Summer Creek High School Starlette team has made such a huge impact on Clarissa, with her being in this dance team since a freshmen many emotions run through her mind.

“Knowing this chapter of my dance journey is coming to an end, I almost feel like crying and being excited at the same time,” she said. “What makes me sad is knowing that these moments with my team and the Summer Creek community are truly my lasts and that is something I’m going to miss so much. However, knowing that a new beginning is coming after my high school dance life makes me look forward to what is to come in the future. So, I’m just trying to stay present and cherish these last moments with my team.”

Many emotions, memories and tears have come to light this year, Clarissa finds herself realizing this is truly the last year her and her team will be dancing on the bright Friday night lights together but she closely holds the valuable lessons her team has taught her.

“This team has taught me to never give up on myself,” she said. “I’ve learned that my progress in my dance training, leadership skills and being coachable all comes from putting in an immense amount of hard work outside of the dance room. And I’m not only working hard to achieve personal goals, but l also dedicate myself to my teammates; focusing on working together as one unit to achieve our team goals. This team has brought me beautiful friendships that make dancing even more special. I enjoy doing what I love with the girls that make me happy.”

Clarissa is a strong, God-fearing girl, within her journey she has stuck with her Lord and savior who has given her much strength within this four-year journey.

“God has had the biggest impact in my dance journey,” she said. “I feel like dancing is a true gift from God because he has blessed me with something that makes me feel happy, loved and secure. He has taught me important lessons of adversity and also blessed me with beautiful connections with my coaches and team members along the way. So, at the end of it all, all glory goes to God and I thank him for the ability to dance.”

With the end of her journey she has collected many memories and lessons from this incredible team and fellowship she has found here at Summer Creek from being on the dance team all the way down to experiencing high school with her varsity football player brother Adrian Lozano. With the year of full emotions she has reflects on her past.

“Before starting this journey, I would tell my freshmen year self to ‘keep going because the workload is going to be heavy but it’s going to be worth it. And that same spirit you came in with, don’t lose it'”

Her coaches, teammates, classmates, family, friends, teachers and everyone all together knows Clarissa’s final bow won’t be her final bow in her journey because God has a big, great plan for her future.