Jenna Grobelny

What companies/classes are you currently in?

            I am currently a proud member of the JazzCats company.

When did you start at Center Stage?

            I first began dancing at Center stage when I was age 7 years old in 2009.

Do you remember your first dance routine?

                My first dance routine was not at Center Stage, it was when I was two years old, and it was a ballet dance. All I remember from it was wearing a pink tutu! My first routine at Center Stage had been when I was in Kittens and it was called “These Boots Are Made For Walkin” choreographed by Sue Garahan.

What was your Center Stage journey?

                I started dancing at Center Stage when I was 7 or 8 years old as a member of the Kittens company. I then moved up to Jr. Cougars the following year. After being in Jr. Cougars for a year I took a break from company to focus on school. I then joined company again and became a JazzCat. I have been a part of the JazzCat company for four years and I am grateful for each and every one of my teammates and dance teachers. I consider the JazzCats my family.

Why has it been worth all of the energy you’ve put in to it and the sacrifices you’ve made?

                Dance has always been a part of me since I was two years old. I truly can’t imagine life without dancing. Whenever I dance all my stress completely disappears. I’m in a different world when I’m dancing. Being an active dancer certainly takes a lot of energy and sacrifices, but it definitely is worth it. I have met so many amazing and talented people through the dance world and I have been given such beautiful choreography through the year and I am thankful for it all!

Do you do other outside of school activities?

                 Besides dance, I volunteer at a local library and I tutor middle school students in math, English, science, and history. I also am a member of the National Honors Society and I work at Jersey Freeze. In school I am in editor of our school newspaper and a member of community service club.

What’s your favorite movie and why?

                My favorite movie is the original version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. I just love the holidays!

What are you irrationally afraid of?

                Well first of all I get scared easily! I would have to say I’m irrationally afraid of spiders and any type of bug even butterflies. I also am afraid of clowns and a children’s TV show called Lazy Town. That show was on when I was little and I literally remember crying if it was on the T.V and it scared me for life!

What do you wish you knew how to do that you can’t do right now?

                I really wish I knew how to swim well. When I was younger I was severely allergic to chlorine and I couldn’t go in pools so I never properly learned to swim. Luckily I have outgrown the allergy and I am able to swim well enough to keep my head above water! However I would like to be a stronger swimmer.

Favorite food?

            My favorite food would definitely have to be chicken nuggets. I mean you can’t go wrong!

First celebrity crush?

            I honestly don’t remember! Probably some basic singer or actor from the early 2000s!

Who is your hero and why?

            There are honestly just too many people I could think of. I would have to say boyfriend, my sisters, and my parents are definitely all my heroes. They are my biggest supporters and they are always there for me and I don’t know what I would do without any of them. Plus they come to all of my competitions and recitals so that’s an added plus!

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

            If I were an animal I would probably be a bunny. They are just so cute and fluffy!

When do you remember laughing the hardest?

            The time I had laughed the hardest would have to be when I was in Hilton Head Island with my boyfriend and my best friend. After we went out to dinner we went to a frozen yogurt shop and after getting our yogurt we all sat down at a table. I just remember out of nowhere we all just looked at each other and started laughing and we literally couldn’t stop. Everyone in the shop was staring at us because we had been so loud!

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?

            I would probably choose Elizabeth Bragg. She was the first woman to receive a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an American university. Since I am majoring in civil engineering in college I think it would be pretty interesting to have dinner with such a significant figure in the engineering field.

What’s next?

            Next is college. I don’t know exactly what university I will be attending yet, but I know I will be majoring in civil engineering. I also would like to be a part of a dance team in college.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

            In ten years I hopefully will be a successful civil engineering designing bridges and buildings across the country and the world. I also would like to continue to dance and to volunteer my time teaching children in less fortunate areas how to dance.

Will you come back to visit Center Stage, or are you gone for good when you’re out the door?

            Of course I will come back to visit Center Stage! The studio and faculty have given me so much joy and amazing experiences. Center Stage has become like a home to me.