Leena Netto, a senior at Miami Palmetto High School, has taken her passion for dance and transformed it into a meaningful community service project known as ‘Dancing for a Purpose.’
This initiative provides dance classes and lessons to children from lower socio-economic families who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in such activities.
Netto reflects on her motivation, stating, ‘I’ve always loved the idea to be able to teach dance. I wanted to do a project to share this knowledge, with kids who don’t have the means to take dance class.’
Last year, the inaugural eight-week program was launched in South Miami, hosted at Branches, where children aged six to twelve were introduced to various dance styles.
Netto has big plans for the future, hoping to expand the program this year.
She aims to work with two additional organizations and is interested in culminating the classes with an end-of-the-year showcase, which will require fundraising for costumes.
Netto expresses her enthusiasm, ‘Hopefully I can implement this in those places as well. I’m hoping to start it as soon as September or October.’
The impact of her program became apparent when four-year-olds expressed a desire to join the dance classes.
‘One of the most rewarding moments was when the girls were begging to be part of the classes I was offering,’ Netto shares.
Dancing has been a significant part of Netto’s life since she was just three years old.
She is a member of the Palmetto dance team, Variations, and this year serves as the senior officer, helping lead stretches and warm-ups as a mentor for younger dancers.
Variations not only performs at football games and pep rallies but also participates in regional and state competitions.
Outside of school, Netto continues to pursue her passion for dance at True Movement Dance Studio, where she engages in various styles including contemporary and ballet, and competes at multiple competitions.
In addition to her dedication to dance, Netto is deeply involved in her community through volunteer work at Kendall United Methodist Church.
Each summer, she teaches Vacation Bible School and leads Bible study sessions at Camp Mustard Seed, where she conveys abstract and complex concepts from the Bible in relatable ways for children aged eighteen months to eight years.
‘One of my proudest moments was when a four-year-old I taught was able to recite a Bible story I had shared with him to his mother that night,’ Netto recalls.
Having attended preschool at the same church and participated in Vacation Bible School herself, her commitment to youth education is personal and heartfelt.
Since her freshman year, she has volunteered at numerous dance studios, teaching younger students and choreographing dances across various styles.
Netto’s academic achievements further illustrate her dedication and ambition.
She is an active member of several honor societies, including the National Honor Society, the English National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, and Psi Alpha, the psychology honor society.
Additionally, she is part of the Senior Class Cabinet and previously participated in DECA, earning certification in small business and entrepreneurship.
This year, she is enrolled in a Dual Enrollment Criminal Law Class where students learn about criminal law and engage in Mock Trials, which she plans to join.
Looking ahead, Netto has aspirations of attending law school where she hopes to focus on criminal and family law.
Her college applications include prestigious institutions such as the University of Florida, Florida State, Nova Southeastern, and the University of Miami.
With ‘Dancing for a Purpose,’ Leena Netto is not just teaching dance; she is empowering children within her community and paving the path for her own future endeavors in both law and education.
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