Lila Oliver has always been around dance since a young age, with her mom being a dance teacher. She picked up the sport at the age of 2 and grew to love it more as she got older and became inspired by watching the older girls at her studio.
“I grew to like it by myself as I grew older, and watching the ‘older girls’ at my studio gave me the love and passion I have for dance,” Oliver said. “My dance teacher, Mrs. Christlyn, has taught me everything I know, and I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today without her.”
What started as something her mom loved came to be something they both loved. Oliver has grown to be an incredible dancer with the help of Mrs. Christlyn. She eventually decided to join the Hamilton Southeastern Dance Team. Oliver quickly made statements, walking in and being on varsity her freshman year, as well as in performances and off the floor with her team. Lila has made such an impact on the team, and she will not be forgotten.
“When I first met Lila at tryouts in April of 2024, I knew we would become best friends,” Ava Swedarsky said. “Her work ethic, talent, passion and commitment to lead a team is something so special about her.”
Dance has taught her so many lessons, not just about how you shouldn’t give up, but how to do something until it stays in your head, especially due to dance being such a fast and perfectionist sport.
“Dance has made me a better person by teaching me that you’re not just going to get something the first time,” Oliver said. “You have to stay up late and practice or do things over and over until it sticks.”
She has been able to learn a great deal about herself through this sport and make some of her best memories with her mom as well.
“My favorite solo I have ever done has to be my ‘Privilege to Pee’ musical theater dance,” Oliver said. “My mom and I worked together to choreograph it, and it just felt so special to me.”
Oliver is now a senior, and this is her last year dancing for HSE. This year becomes full of lasts, but she knows to soak up all the memories and great people she has met.
“Everything…the late nights at NDA camp and long choreography days with Josh and Mel, Friday Night Lights on the sideline, making jokes with my teammates” Oliver said. “Most of all, I’m going to miss Ava Swedarsky. She gets me through my day and through life… she has changed me for the better.”
Oliver plans to continue to dance in college after graduating this year. She is undecided on where she wants to go right now, though she knows that there will always be people to support her wherever that may be.
“She is someone everyone needs in their life,” Swedarsky said.
