16-year-old dancing phenom creating her own moves

CHAMPAIGN – Becky Ramos dances across the studio floor in a series of jumps, her ruffled red skirt floating out around her, a smile on her face, her arms gracefully extended.

The music changes and she moves across the floor in a series of pirouettes, then ends with several jumps.

The only evidence of the hard work beneath the graceful exterior is the thump-thump of her toe shoes on the wood floor and her heavy breathing when she finishes.

"This variation is exhausting," said her teacher, Luciana Rezende, after asking Becky if she needed a breather and some water. "Thank goodness she likes jumps."

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