Raguini finds confidence, grows through new-found art

Tap. Ballet. Jazz. Three of the most well known types of dancing. But Polynesian? To junior Justine Raguini, Polynesian it is a very well known type of dance.

Dancing can free people of stress and can also help them find an inner courage they didn’t know existed. That is exactly what dancing
did for Raguini.
“I’ve always wanted to dance Tahitian, I just never had the guts to join before,” Raguini said. “It’s different because I am the only one of my friends who dance Tahitian.”
Most people don’t know that Raguini dances, or what kind of dance she does. She does a unique dance called Polynesian, which is a mix between hula and Tahitian. Those in Raguini’s life who do know she dances are so proud of her; they try to make it to as many of her performances as they possibly can.

“I am so blessed to have a wonderful daughter like Justine,” Raguini’s father, Juve Raguini said. “She always studies hard and keeps her grades up and she has found a way to express her sweetness through dancing and singing and when she makes up her mind about what she wants she always has succeeded that goal.”
Since Raguini has started dancing, her friends and family have seen a major improvement
in her self confidence. In her one year of dancing, she has learned not only the art of Polynesian
dancing, but also learned about herself.
“She seems to have found a confidence in her that she never seemed to have before,” junior Sam Bruni said. “Dance has really helped her love herself more, and for that I love that she dances.”
But just like any other extracurricular activity, there are always going to be sacrifices to make. Raguini’s friends agree that while dancing has helped her, she doesn’t get to hang out as often because she is practicing.
“There are times I wish she didn’t practice as much so we could hang out more,” junior Amy Smith said. “But I would never wish she didn’t dance. She loves it and that makes me happy to see her so happy.”
Raguini currently takes classes at St.Charles community college and at Kuma’s House dance studio. Although she doesn’t see dancing as a career choice, she does see it in her future. She loves the rush she gets when performing on stage: the feeling she gets when people appreciate her dancing, kind of like scoring your first goal at the big game. She can’t imagine not having that feeling again.
“She is extremely talented and needs to keep dancing,” Bruni said. “Not only is she really
good at it, but she loves it with all her heart and you can see that when she dances.”