From the time she was three years old, dance has always been a part of Alexa Reyes’ life. Whether she was dancing around at home or watching performances with admiration, Reyes, a junior at Highland, knew dancing came naturally to her. But it was not until she was eleven years old, after seeing a folklórico performance at an event in 2020, that she discovered a deeper connection between dance and culture.
“I saw some performers and was like, ‘wow I want to do that,’” Reyes said.
Inspired by the colorful performance and the energy it brought, Reyes immediately joined a dance group. What first started as curiosity quickly became passion, as she spent more time learning the traditions and history behind folklórico. She realized it was much more than a performance on stage.
“When I actually got into dance and started learning more about it was when I really fell in love with it,” Reyes said.
Her older sister, Anette Reyes, became one of her biggest inspirations throughout her journey. Watching her sister continue dancing encouraged her to keep improving, even when balancing school and other activities became difficult. Over the years, dance became one of the most important parts of her identity.
This year marks her second time performing for Highland’s multicultural assembly. Unlike the previous year, when she performed with a dance group, this time, it was much more personal. She performed alongside her brother, Alan Reyes, and her cousin, Leah Sanchez.
“Because I’m so close with them, I feel like we already have a bunch of chemistry and being able to share that with your family is amazing,” Reyes said.
The dance they performed originated from Yucatán, Mexico, and focused heavily on footwork and precision. Unlike the folklórico dances many people recognize for their flowing dresses and partner work, this style highlights individual movement, rhythmic steps, and balance. Traditionally, dancers balance objects on their heads or even dance on a small wooden box.
Even with years of experience, performing in front of a crowd still makes her nervous.
“As a performer, I always get nervous no matter how many times I’ve done it,” Reyes said. “So, I was really nervous but after I got out and heard the crowd, I relaxed a bit.”
For Reyes, the performance meant much more than simply entertaining an audience. It was an opportunity to educate others while proudly representing her heritage.
“Because I’ve been doing it for so long, and because I get to show my culture, and show off all the things I’ve learned, I think that’s what makes it so important to me,” Reyes said. “I think it’s important for everyone to see my culture and learn about it.”
Through folklórico, she has developed a stronger understanding of Mexico and her family’s roots. Although she always knew where her parents were from, dance helped her discover the traditions, regions, and styles that make Mexican culture so unique.
“Dance has made me have a better understanding of the entirety of Mexico and my culture,” Reyes said.
She also believes school events like multicultural assemblies give students valuable opportunities to learn about cultures they may not experience otherwise.
“Kids don’t really have the chance to learn more about different cultures in a general manner, so I feel like assemblies like this or events at school can really help kids learn,” Reyes said.
Outside of dancing, she enjoys playing soccer, traveling, and spending time with friends. Balancing everything can be challenging, but after years of experience, she has learned how to manage her schedule by dedicating specific days for dance and others to school.
While she is no longer part of a dance group, her passion for folklórico continues to shape her future. She hopes to attend school for dance and continue practicing for years to come.
For Reyes, folklórico represents more than just a dance on stage, it is a way to honor her family, her culture, and the traditions that come with it. Every step she takes on stage tells a story, not only about herself but about the culture she is proud to share.
