THE LEARNING & EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THE ARTS PROGRAM
"Nurturing healthy minds and bodies through the incredible power of the arts!"
KHAYLA CLAXTON
LEAP Star of the Month
March, 2025
How do we discuss excellence without spotlighting KHAYLA? 🤷🏽♀️💫
Ladies and Gents, our LEAP Star of the Month for March 2025 is none other than the unconquerable Khayla Claxton! 🌟
A born leader, Khayla gladly and quite easily takes on so much responsibility at LEAP - she’s an outstanding multiclass member in our dance, gymnastics and musical theatre programs. Her exceptionalism translates into her tutorship of our most impressionable young LEAPers, our Rollers, Bouncers & Twirlers. On the floor she’s known for her kindness, thoughtfulness, creativity, generosity, patience, energy, talent and attention to detail. She goes FULL OUT in every way, every time!
Most recently, she has added LCE Member to her LEAP Resumé and was the first to accumulate stars with her choreography presentations. She’s the only member holding two stars out of the team for her ballet and hiphop delivery. ⭐️⭐️
Additionally, Khayla volunteers and accepts any invitation to lead LEAP cohorts and be present and purposeful at any event including recent our recent Tring Park collab and Junior Tutors Training, and is now heading up a cheer team for our program for an upcoming parade.
“At this point, I cannot imagine LEAP without you, Khayla. You have inevitably become part of the fabric of who we are and I couldn’t be more proud. I tear up sometimes recalling you starting as a little bright light on the floor years ago and watching you evolve to being a force to be reckoned with in every facet. I pray your dance journey thrives beyond your wildest dreams and I promise to be there for you every step of the way! I’ll ask for your autograph now before I have to pay for it! Ha! Congratulations!” - Teacher Genieve
#LEAPFamily, please join us in applauding our “Khayla Wayla” our newest STAR OF THE MONTH! ✨
LATAUNYA WEEKES
LEAP Star of the Month
February, 2025
"I am so impressed!" comments LEAP's Director, Genieve Hanley, as LEAP proudly adds another stalwart to its prestigious STAR of the Month Roster! Lataunya Weekes is more than well-deserving of this title for February, 2025. She's always had that star quality, but has dramatically shone over the past weeks, with a level of work and commitment that we deem 'out of this world'! Lataunya's creativity; strategizing and organization; proactiveness; communication; planning and time management skills; leadership; positivity and team spirit have risen to a whole other level.
"I'm inspired!" she smiles and says, when we acknowledge her renewed level of excellence.
Lataunya is a long-standing, valued Member of our Program, who grew and transitioned over the years out of our General Dance Program for Children, into our Adult Dance Program and LEAP Tutor to our 8 - 10 year old dancers. Her peers would describe her as buoyant, dexterous, collaborative and sharp. She's no stranger to a LEAP SHINE Award and takes such pride in her personal and professional standards and growth.
Heading up our Hoppers, Lataunya, coordinating seamlessly with her talented Co-Tutor, Gabrielle, has already completed masterful choreography with her children, way ahead of schedule. Their classes are exceptionally fruitful and a joy to behold. You'll see this duo approaching the floor in their coordinated uniforms, with an iPad mapping out their daily, weekly and monthly actionables and goals, and each minute of their classes carefully accounted for. Their ideas for dance pieces, impeccable teamwork and teaching methods are sterling.
"Congratulations Taunya! We can all take a page out of your book. I sincerely admire your enthusiasm and efficiency. You have been a stark reminder to me and the community of artists that surround you, to rise to the occasion, every day, every time. We appreciate the excellence you bring to the table at LEAP and know that your demeanor will radiate through to your children, team and audiences. Soon I'll have to wear my shades to attend your classes because of the blinding light are carrying! Keep shining!" - Genieve, on behalf of all of us at LEAP.
JUNELIYAH WHYTE
LEAP Star of the Month
January, 2025
This shooting star’s journey began with us just a few years ago, in 2022. She enrolled in our General Dance Program and made a lasting impression with her Dance Teachers, our Director and her Teammates, from the very first minute she approached the dance floor, with her infectious presence, profound passion, notable flexibility, agility and personality.
Juneliyah, more affectionately known to us as ‘Harmony’, has thrived in our Program, inevitably expanding her Membership over time to include gymnastics as a LEAP Flipper, quickly working her way up to Intermediate Level, and now she is also a shining member of our TikTok Team. This triple talent, maintains an excellent profile, always present, punctual, proficient and pleasant. She is a great team player and she's exceptionally driven, not accepting that she can’t yet do some of the most technical skills we teach—often returning the next week achieving them after spending days enthusiastically practicing independently at home. She pours her heart into her standard of excellence in our Program.
During the month of January, we unfortunately received news that she got injured with a broken arm. Did that stop Juneliyah from attending her three weekly classes? Absolutely not! She not only attends, cast on, but she is most active! “No excuses!” has been her approach. Another highlight of the past weeks for Juneliyah was her admission to our LCE (LEAP Company Ensemble) by way of audition. She presented a skillful creative piece, that earned her a coveted spot in our Junior cohort.
Our Director, Genieve Hanley, who leads LCE and oversees our Program commented, “Harmony is magnetic. She has the kind of personality, presence, passion and poise that make for a powerful performer. You can count on her to easily recall choreography, practice religiously on her own time, nail complex feats, and pour her everything into all her on-stage appearances. I had the pleasure of coaching her last year for her Talent Appearance in her school’s pageant and got to witness firsthand how exceptionally driven, focused, brave, proficient, and disciplined she is. She is a force to be reckoned with! Congratulations Harmony, our first ever LEAP Star of the Month!”
Her Hoppers Dance Tutor, Gabrielle Myers, added to this lovely sentiment, “Juneliyah is a dedicated and skilled dancer who never fails to bring the energy! Despite her injury, she continued to show up to every class with her signature bubbly spirit.”
Her TikTok Tutor, Cajoy Isaac, also shared her proud remarks, “Congratulations, Juneliyah! Your passion and enthusiasm for dance shines in everything you do! Your positivity, dedication, and vibrant spirit makes you a joy to be around and an inspiration to others. We are so proud of you! Well done, Harmony!”
Iniyah Walwyn, her Gymnastics Tutor (Flippers), also remarked "Congratulations to our resilient, bubbly superstar, LEAP Star of the Month, Juneliyah Whyte! Your energy and determination inspire everyone around you. This award celebrates your hard work, talent, and passion. Keep pushing boundaries, chasing your dreams, and sharing your joy, you’re destined to shine even brighter!"
Juneliyah now heads up our new LEAP Wall of Fame on our notice board, taking the first of twelve spots for 2025.