It seems there is a consensus within the student body on the fact that something momentous took place at the HOSCARS on Thursday. The red-carpeted gymnasium floor set the scene for a show of the stars, but little did the students know, one act would bring about an unprecedented degree of school unity.

This year the HOSCARS were held during the school day so that the whole student body could enjoy the show. As each act brought stunning raw talent to the stage, the audience felt uneasy when the MCs announced the next act: a solo dance by a freshman. Whispers ensued throughout the crowd as students speculated about whether or not this newcomer would embarrass himself.

Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” blasted on the speakers, Varun Cherukuri struck his first move, and in an instant, jaws all across the gymnasium dropped. Who exactly was this student, hidden under the tilted black fedora and boxy beige blazer? For the next three minutes, the crowd sat spellbound, entranced by the spectacular dance moves that captured every ounce of Michael Jackson’s panache.

Varun chose the song because “it seemed to have a lot of energy, and [he] saw that there were a lot of steps [he] could do.” In fact, his mastery of the Michael Jackson’s style was almost uncanny. “I like Michael Jackson a lot,” he said.

However, his skill is grounded in his training with Indian music in Bollywood dance since third grade, when he was a student in India. Though reluctant to take classes at first, he quickly developed a passion for dance. “It’s just fun to move freely and dance to a rhythm to any kind of music,” he explained.

Now with a Facebook fan page boasting over 350 “likes” and online videos drawing hundreds of views, freshman Varun seems to have amassed a sizable fan base, even drawing attention from people outside the Harker community. However, the spate of adulatory comments and Internet phenomenon status hardly do his performance justice.

What most people do not know is that much of his performance was improvised and completely self-learned. “I had a few steps, and I created the dance by improvising around those base steps” Varun explained. “I did it a few times at home, like four or five times, but then I thought I was ready.” Before the show though, he “felt very nervous.” Afterward, he darted off behind the curtains before he saw the entire crowd jump to its feet in delight for his first standing ovation ever.

After four standing ovations in a day—one immediately following his performance, two in the cafeteria at lunch, and yet another at the awards ceremony—Varun still maintained his levelheadedness and modesty. Having just learned about his Facebook fan page, Varun responded: “It’s pretty cool; I didn’t expect any of that.”

Besides leaving the whole school awestruck, Varun’s performance had transformative effects on his own reputation, prompting students to quip about his lengthy queue of prom dates and suitors.

On Thursday, the student body found a rising star among its midst. His advice for aspiring dancers? “Don’t be scared. I was scared to do this, but it’s fun after you start.”