Sophomore Lucie Vleugels is new to South Lakes this year.
Last year she attended Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC. It is one of the best ballet schools in the country.
The summer before eighth grade, Vleugels attended the summer program at Kirov. She was then accepted into the full program and stayed for two years.
“It was so much fun,” said Vleugels “There was a lot of dancing which was so great.”
Vleugels would dance from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and would go to school for an hour before and three hours after.
Kirov Academy is made up of about 75 students.
“It’s an incredibly diverse school,” said Vleugels. “Kids came from all around the world. In eighth grade, my roommate was from Mexico, and in ninth grade she was from Japan.”
Veugels had to leave after ninth grade because she broke three ligaments in her ankle and still cannot dance.
This year is her first back in public school. “I like public school better,” said Vleugels. “There are a lot more people here and I have a lot more time to have fun.”