The only dance experience most people have is from the talent portion of a third grade beauty pageant or a failed attempt at getting five stars on Call Me Maybe on Just Dance 4, but for Elizabeth Seidl dance has been apart of her life for as long as she can remember.

Seidl is involved in multiple activities at the school, including cross country, basketball, soccer, LITE team, SAFE team and youth court. She is also doing things outside of school, like being involved with her church youth group.

Seidl used to attend the Hilltop Dance Center, but is now involved with the De Soto High School dance team, the De Soto Diamonds.

“[The team] is a very fun, positive group,” Seidl said. “I definitely enjoy the benefits of a small team. We really get to know each other and spend a lot of time together.”

Seidl emphasized the good qualities of the team.

“[It’s great] how well we get along with each other,” Seidl said. “I know at a lot of other places they have drama on teams, but that has never been a problem for us.”

Seidl enjoys the “tight-knit” group, but she also loves how much dancing has helped her grow as a person.

“My favorite part of dancing is definitely performing,” Seidl said. “I think performing has definitely grown my self-confidence. When you perform and do each moment to its fullest, and really get into dance with facials and everything it is impossible not to have fun.”

Keeping track of everything isn’t so easy for Seidl, however. In seventh grade, she had to quit dancing because she joined competitive basketball.
As far as homework goes, Seidl is taking AP European History, AP Calculus and Pre-AP English, and has managed to maintain straight A’s.

“Elizabeth is not only incredibly smart and very organized, but she is also a great friend,” said sophomore Rylee Wilson.