Classmate Profile

Heather Miller, a 20-year-old San Jose State University student, has always held dancing close to her heart.

At the young age of three, she noticed her next-door neighbor leaving and coming back from dance practice and wished she could do the same.

It wasn’t long until she joined the Orange County Dance Center in hopes to satisfy her longing to become a dancer.

As she grew older, her passion grew stronger.

After spending so much time with the OCDC, she knew that she made a good choice in her decision to dance.

She continued to work harder as if every day was her last day dancing.

However, she knew she had to leave eventually to start higher education.

“It was hard leaving them because they were like my other family,” Miller said.

Miller had been dancing with them for 15 years.

When it was time for her to choose a major at San Jose State University, she decided to be reasonable and choose broadcast journalism because dance would be too competitive.

She may enjoy her undergraduate career, but it would be incredibly hard to make it in the world of dance.

Although dance is not her main focus at SJSU, it doesn’t stop her from finding other ways to do it.

Alpha Xi Delta, her sorority, has a philanthropy that allows her to show-off her talent for a good cause.

“Heather is a such a determined person,” Callie Miller, Heather’s mom, said. “Joining Alpha Xi Delta has really helped her grow into a great and strong woman.”

However, Miller had not always been comfortable with putting herself in the spotlight.

Without dance, she would not have the confidence she has today.

“When I’m dancing on stage, I can’t see the audience because the lights are shining on us,” Miller said.

“But when I danced on my high school’s dance team, we could actually see the people and their reactions.”

As well as studying broadcast journalism, she is still pushing on toward minoring in dance.

“Dancing is something that you can’t really lose,” Miller said. “Your passion will be with you your whole life.”

Her roommate and friend, Mary Knezovich, said that Miller is always smiling or dancing whenever she sees her.

Miller’s goal in life is to work with the NBC Today Show in New York and become a Radio City Rockette on the side.

“You might as well dream big,” Miller said.