A 2016 Henry F. Kite Elementary dance performance. S’Maiah is seated in the front row, fourth from right.
In our latest Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with S’Maiah Rock, who was a CAP ballet student at Henry F. Kite Elementary from 2013–2017.
S’Maiah Rock today
Today, S’Maiah is a self-taught abstract artist and double-major student at Jacksonville University. She recalls her teaching artist as caring and always pushing the class to be their best selves, but her fondest memories from CAP ballet class were all about fun and friends.
It’s a reminder that the true legacy of arts education often begins with simple joy, proving that the friendships made behind the scenes are just as transformative as the work created at center stage.
What grade were you in when you started dancing with CAP?
I started dancing with CAP in Ms. Paisley Gibson’s class in the 2nd grade, and my last year of dancing was after the 6th grade in 2018.
Were you a dancer or artist before you started the CAP ballet class?
As a kid, I had always had a love for the arts and was very creative. I enjoyed drawing.
Did you continue dancing or doing other types of art afterwards?
I haven’t danced since, but I have taken up painting and continued drawing. I am currently double-majoring in Art History and Elementary Education at Jacksonville University. I hope to become an elementary teacher after graduating.
Here are some examples of my artwork:
What do you remember about your teacher, the class, or what you learned? Is there a memory or lesson that stuck with you?
What I remember from her and her class was how she always pushed us to be our best and show our biggest potential. She was a patient, kind, and caring teacher that only wanted to see us succeed.
The girls I danced with were all so kind and supportive. I am still in contact with the few that were in my grade. My favorite memories are from our end of the year Ballet Bash parties where students were given awards and were able to just hang out after school, laughing and talking about how fun the dance year had been.
Are you a former CAP Kid? We want to hear from you! Whether your class ended last year or 30 years ago, we’d love to hear about how the arts impacted your life then and now. Maybe we’ll be able to dig up some old photos of you and your childhood friends, too. Click here to fill out the alumni form.
