In a room filled with music, students worked to perfect a move for their winter recitals on the 4th and 5th of December. Leading the class with inspiring positive energy, Elizabeth White coaches them through their training, helping dancers become performance-ready.
White, the RHS dance teacher, has loved dance ever since she was a kid, so much so that she strives every day to impart a passion for dance in her students.
“I don’t remember a time in my life without dance,” said White.
Now channeling her passion into teaching, she helps encourage all of her RHS students to boost their confidence.
“The thought is that we want to change our mentality to a can-do,” said White.
Starting in 2013, Elizabeth White has been determined to pass on her skills of communication and art to her students. Seeing her student’s hard work pay off in addition to her own, she’s more than happy to be doing what she loves.
White has impacted our community by building connections with her students; through those relationships, she has been able to celebrate more cultures and to bring in brighter and more exhilarating dances to the stage at RHS.
“Whenever you’re able to create a team mentality, it really lets people come together and build those relationships,” said White.
Even when tensions are high before a performance, White still continues to power through to see her students’ art come to life.
“You’ve got to be able to build relationships and look past somebody’s [flaws] – it’s not even their flaws – if somebody does something that annoys you or bugs you, you’ve got to be able to look past it, so we can operate as a team, as a family, so we can put on a good show,” said White.
With dance being such an important part of many cultures, she also helps foster diversity and a sense of belonging.
“Every culture has some sort of association with dance and being able to learn from other people helps build connections whenever you’re working together, like we do,” said White.
Elizabeth White has been able to make a huge impact on Rogers High School and her community. Her passion continues to help many students overcome personal struggles or anxieties. Because of her, young dancers are able to shine like diamonds onstage with a strong and supportive community.
