As a child, Sravya Cherukuri’s (12) viewed Bollywood movies as her main source of entertainment. Her early interest later grew into a passion for dance and theater.

Sravya began exploring dance almost ten years ago, when aspects of Bollywood movies prompted her to want to imitate similar movements in her own dance styles.

“Bollywood movies really inspired me because of the dancing, color [and] dynamics, and that’s how I first started Indian classical dance,” Sravya said. “I was a huge fan of this Indian actress Madhuri Dixit. She had the most amazing expressions ever, and I would try to mimic that in my Indian classical dance.”

Dancing gives Sravya a chance to express her emotions without using words, as she has had experiences of speech problems that interfered with her efforts to communication with others.

“I had a lot of speech problems as a kid, so people didn’t understand what I was trying to say,” Sravya said. “When I danced, i was able to express my feelings more thoroughly and communicate with others.”

Besides Indian dance, Sravya also enjoys western dance styles such as jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She also started an acting career when she joined the drama club in her middle school years.

“I’m always the person who wants to try new things to discover new passions,” Sravya said. When I started acting, I really liked it because I liked the way that I’m going into someone else’s shoes and telling their story.”

Performing arts helps Sravya relax in times of stress.

“When I do feel stressed out about academics, I do lean in towards my performing arts side to destress myself,” Sravya said. “ I try not to let the negative things affect me as much. If you are able to be consistently happy with how your life is, that really defines success.”

Zahra Budhwani (12), who is involved with performing arts with Sravya, describes how Sravya influences others with her happiness.

“If you ever text her, and you’re like, ‘I need something,’ she just drops whatever she’s doing, and she’s just like, ‘I’ll be there,’” Zahra Budhwani (12) said. “She makes us happier just by being around her because she’s always so cheerful.”

At the upper school, Sravya co-choreographs one of the dances for the upper school dance show. She is also heavily involved with rehearsing and preparing for the fall play, as she takes on major roles in this year’s show.

“I hope to remembered as that kid who kept on pushing people to get out of their comfort zones because it’s senior year and people are just kind of chilling,” Sravya said. “I want to be that kid that constantly motivates others to do their best and get out of their comfort zone.”

This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on October 11, 2016.