32°

Grade: Seventh.

School: Floyd Dryden Middle School.

Art of choice: Hip-hop, Latin and salsa dance.

How it started: When he was small, he saw his sisters dancing and as soon as he tried it, he loved it. He's been dancing ever since.

Reason: "I like it because it helps me, and it's fun. The music just goes through me, and I start dancing."

Experience: When he lived in Maryland and Puerto Rico, he took dance classes. He's moved around a lot already, as his mom's sought a better life.

Favorites: He has a long list of favorite artists: Pit bull, Ying-Yang Twins, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Young Joc, Cassie, Missy Elliot, Daddy Yankee, Akon, DJ Khale, Cherish. He likes hip-hop, reggaeton, rap, etc.

Performance: He performed in the Floyd Dryden talent show Thursday morning. He and his cousin, Kei, did a routine to NSync's "Pop." They make up their own moves and choreograph dances themselves. They practice a lot, but even when Alex can't find someone to dance with, he'll practice on his own.

Future plans: He plans to continue Dance, do his best in school and go to college. He'd like to be a doctor, a veterinarian or a professional hip-hop dancer, so one day he can help his mom and his sister out.

His teacher, Josh Yerkes, says: "(I chose to feature Alex for being brave. He was one of three boys on the Dance Drill Team this year.) Alex loves to dance and shows great enthusiasm for it. He came to Alaska from New Jersey in the middle of last year, and he's adjusted well to a new school and a new environment."

• Student Artist in the Spotlight is a weekly feature on the Neighbors page and done in collaboration with the Juneau School District Elementary Art Program. To have your student art included, contact your school office.