The Esperanza Academy Dance Ensemble won first place in the high school division at the 2017 Annual Puerto Rican Festival Parade hosted by Concilio on Sept. 24. The EA Dance Ensemble performed an original choreographed dance to the song “Amanecer Borincano” by Lucecita Benitez.
“We’ve worked so hard, we practiced every single day,” Esperanza Academy student and dance major Lesly Fernandez said.
The EA Dance Ensemble has been recognized in five of the last seven parades, winning first place in the high school category in 2013 and 2014 and being named the parade’s Overall Winner in 2010, 2015, and 2016.
Fernandez, 15, has been dancing for four years and recognizes how much the ensemble has helped her build her confidence. “When I was younger I was more insecure, but when I started dancing with the ensemble I became more confident in myself,” she said.
Congratulations to the students and Tania Y. Ramos Otón, Teacher & Arts Department Chair and Director who worked hard to put on an excellent performance!
