Help Melissa Dance Her Way to Success

My name is Melissa Valdes, and I have a dream. I dream of being a professional dancer, and a marine biologist. I dance proudly for MIAMI INTERNATIONAL DANCE ACADEMY.

I dance from the moment I wake up, to the moment I go to bed.

When I was 5 years old, an orthopedic doctor told my mom there was nothing that could be done about my little feet being turned in, because it's something that comes from the hip, I was born that way. I can turn them all the way in but I can't turn them out, and it's inoperable. After a second opinion with an Orthopedic pediatric doctor from Miami Children's Hospital, she was advised to put me in ballet, because that would teach me to turn my feet out, as a method of physical therapy. As my body turned them in and I kept falling while walking, running, my mommy was terrified to let me run.

After just 6 months of being a part of my dance studio, I learned to control my feet and the bruises on my feet began to fade. No new bruises came in. My mom was extremely happy.

But then, my dance teacher (Ms. Niuris Torres. Came to talk to my mom and said something my mom never thought she would hear, she wanted to add me to the competition team. A DANCE COMPETITION TEAM, my mom couldn't believe what was happening.

I competed for season 2024 and brought home

National champion Soloist 1st in category and 1st place Overall

Ran for title and won Ms. Petite Magic City 2024 (Regionals and Nationals)

Face of Fusion 2024

1st Place in Group 2024

So I ask that anyone that can please help me, with my upcoming 2025 dance competition season. Thank you in advance for taking the time to listen to my story.