Dancing is a sport that is quite unique when compared to some run-of-the-mill-athletic activities. It permits a plethora of creativity and chances to express yourself. For Ellie Akehurst, she showcased herself as a dynamic and diverse dancer for many years.

The Valley Regional junior and Chester resident started on the dance floor at age 5 while participating in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and even horseback riding along the way. Around fourth grade, she decided her sole passion was dance in her athletic life. Flash forward many years later and The Dance Corner competitor has racked up a multitude of scholarships and judges’ awards for her stupendous performances and maximum efforts.

“I love that dancing is a team and individual sport; you are with your team, but you can be recognized for your own abilities. You can also become your own character when you are out there on the stage,” says Ellie. “My mother has been a big supporter of mine in dance, along with my best friends. The teachers at my studio are also very supportive and great. We also have great choreographers at the studio. The big moments for me have been earning invitations to national competitions after they pick select routines at competitions. I have also won a few judges’ awards, which is great because those are when you do something that stands out to them. Even just today, I was one of two people to receive a summer scholarship, and they look at everything as a whole when awarding those, so it is exciting and rewarding.”

Over the course of time, Ellie has made the transition from being one of the club to snagging a solo spotlight when on the big stage. She explains while it can certainly rattle the nerves at first, she has garnered proud perspective overtime and learned how to truly reflect from within.

“I had never done solo dances before in the past, so it was a big challenge to go from group setting to being alone out there. It is a different vibe because it’s all on you and can’t balance blame elsewhere,” Ellie says. “But it helps you grow a lot and understand your own strengths and weaknesses better. I have also become better in sportsmanship because dance teaches you how to be a good sport.”

While Ellie has certainly carved out her own niche in the hip hop realm, there are more worlds for her to conquer. She has also shown aspirations of mixing up the flows and tempos a bit.

“Hip hop is my favorite dance style to perform,” says Ellie.” I just love doing it out there. But this year, I got the chance to perform two solos with hip hop but also contemporary.They are both different styles, but I hope to also continue hip hop in college.”

Speaking more towards the grand horizon, Ellie aims to keep her feet moving on the floor beyond high school–even if it is in a more intramural setting. It goes beyond performance, though, as she has taken a liking to a mentorship role at the studio and would love to expand her number of pupils.

“I honestly hope to be part of a club dance team in college,” Ellie says. “I know of schools and places that offer both classes and classes where you can teach students. I am a step teacher at the studio right now and teach some of the younger kids. I love teaching dance, and I would love to return to the studio in the future and continue to teach younger kids.”

The Dance Corner instructor Elizabeth McCabe explains that Ellie’s passion illuminates even brighter through the major maturation she has shown through the sport while instructing others in her spare time.

“Ellie has been dancing at The Dance Corner for 11 years and has developed into not only a beautiful dancer, but a strong, caring, and trustworthy young woman,” says McCabe. “Ellie puts her heart and soul into every dance class and performance and truly shines when she is onstage. Ellie also has a very strong leadership quality about her, which is evident when she volunteers her time assisting in multiple dance classes for younger students every week. Ellie is able to facilitate dance classes when needed, and the feedback from the students is always that they feel comfortable, happy, supported, and overall love dancing with Ellie. Ellie's ability to take her passion for dance and inspire young dancers is truly remarkable.”

The reverence and mutual admiration that inevitably arise from the crop of competitions is the true unique essence of the floor in Ellie’s eyes. She explains that enduring adversity together fosters those even stronger personal relationships.

“What also makes dance special is that we have deeper connections compared to other sports because of the sportsmanship you need to compete in dance,” says Ellie. “It is great to support other girls and have them support you. You get to know people from all ages that dance, which is also really great. The friendships from dance are really important because the ups and downs you all go through bring you closer together.”