2025 Graduate, Lilah Ackerman

Lilah began dancing at the age of 9. She was small, very shy, and extremely flexible, yet lacked the strength to support it. During a drastic growth spurt, her joints became even more unstable, leading to injuries that took her off pointe for a season. She also quietly carried the emotional weight of training with pre-teen girls, where friendships shift and feelings are fragile and she internalized her feelings more than we knew.  But Lilah had something strong holding her steady—her faith. A faith that reminded her she was called to be in the world, and not of it. Along with supportive parents, her spirit grew stronger.  In 2022, she questioned whether she could keep going. She took time away at the beginning of that season to think and pray. But in January 2023, she came back with quiet determination to do what was needed to achieve her dance goals. She’s shown up to the studio to strengthen for 1 hour before class. She’s danced six days a week, balancing her school, her family (she is the 3rd oldest of 8), her training, and her professional commitments. She’s become a model of dedication—not just to dance, but to personal growth, and to her faith.  Lilah, watching you this weekend has been a gift. It was the beautiful result of all the hard moments you chose to grow through. You are not just a beautiful dancer. You are a beautiful person. You are strong, faithful, and full of quiet courage. And we are all so proud of you.  As you step forward into the next chapter, know that you carry the love and admiration from me and your dance family. We’ve watched you grow up and meet challenges with grace. And today, we honor you.