On Friday, December 5th, the Shadow Ridge Dance Team helped create a magical moment during an assembly for Make-A-Wish guest Dava, a kind, crafty, movie-loving 9-year-old who loves animals, Roblox, board games, and everything pink. Earlier this year, Dava was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which led to surgeries, targeted chemotherapy, and other ongoing treatments. Despite challenges, Dava continues to shine bright. She loves princesses and wishes to go to her favorite theme park in Orlando, where she hopes to meet all the princesses, get a royal makeover, and watch all the shows. Dava has been dreaming of a special escape ever since leaving the skilled nursing facility, and she’s excited for the chance to make memories with her family.
During the assembly, dancers wore sparkles on their faces and tiaras to show their love and support, making Dava feel like the true princess of the day. They began their performance with a song from Frozen, and dancer Emma Ririe, dressed up as Elsa, presented Dava with a princess-themed gift basket donated by dance teacher Edith Ellithorpe. Although Ririe is recovering from knee surgery and couldn’t dance, she still wanted to embrace the moment with Dava.
“I wanted our special guest to feel like a princess on this day and hopefully seeing Emma as a limping Elsa will remind her that perfection is not a prerequisite to being royalty,” Ellithrope states.
Ellithrope was inspired to create this moment between the dancers and Dava because she strives to teach her dancers that their talents can be used for more than performance, they can also uplift others and leave a positive impact on the community.
“I am passionate about spreading kindness, uplifting others and giving back to the community,” Ellithrope states. “I want my dance team to be involved in and known for supporting charity.”
For many dancers, participating in this special moment was deeply meaningful, as it allowed them to honor Dava while representing Shadow Ridge.
“I felt honored to be able to perform for Dava and show school spirit not only for Shadow Ridge but also supporting non-profit organizations like Make-A-Wish,” junior dancer Maria Pacturan states.
Experiences like this not only bring the dance team closer together but also remind them why they are performing in the first place.
“Moments like these are something the Shadow Ridge Dance Team cherishes the most because we get to perform and make memories with the school,” Pacturan states.
Shadow Ridge’s dance team stands for support, spirit, and compassion. Their performance, the thoughtful princess-themed gift basket, and the effort each dancer put into making Dava feel celebrated showed how deeply the dance team values lifting others up. For the dancers, it wasn’t just about the routine, it was about creating a moment for a young girl with a big wish. The Shadow Ridge Dance Team has hearts that shine just as brightly as their talent.
