You decide who will be named Youth Athlete of the Year to star in a 3BRAND ad in Sports Illustrated and win $25,000! Voting resumes on September 8th at 10AM PDT.
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Receive Text UpdatesThere is so much that goes into her dancing, but if I had to pick one thing I think she loves the most, it would be entertaining others. Whether she's on stage or just dancing for fun, she always put her whole self into it. From style to emotion, every part of a dance matters to her. Each piece tells a different story and has the power to make someone smile, laugh, cry, or think more deeply. I love watching people feel something from her movement—it’s her way of speaking without words.
Her biggest inspiration is her grandmother- Mimi. They are very close, Ayana has watched her persevere in a man dominated career and do it gracefully. Her Mimi is always encouraging Ayana to dream big, dream vividly, and never accept the world's limitations. To take her experiences and turn them into positive motivation for herself while inspiring other girls that look like her to do the same. Mimi has overcome many hurdles that were meant to stop her yet she accomplished her goals.
Proudest moments come from watching her grow as a person through dance. As a competitive dancer she faces many ups and downs, dance is all subjective from the judges point of view. Watching her encourage, cheer and embrace dancers from other studios even in the moments she may have fallen short of her expectations, makes for a proud mom moment. She gives 100% and demands a lot from herself, to walk off stage in the highs and lows with your head high and cheering for others is always a WIN!
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.