Brazosport High student Christian Arroyo’s junior and senior years will look different than many his age, and different than even he might have expected. This gifted 15-year-old has accepted an invitation to the prestigious Houston Ballet Academy Professional Program starting this fall.
Christian’s talent was obvious from the very first days of Fleming Elementary School’s after-school dance program led by Kendall Goff. Adults like Connie Marshall, Barbie Rhodes, and Mona Rhodes Schreiber continued to encourage his talent and passion for dancing, pushing him to audition for the Houston Ballet summer intensive program. There he distinguished himself as an exceptional talent among some of the best young dancers and was asked to join the all-year program on full scholarship.
Christian will live in Houston full-time on the ballet academy campus. A rigorous schedule awaits Christian with dancing from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; with academic studies following every evening. Even though this new opportunity to continue fostering his talent will be a challenging one, all who have taught Christian share that he is not only talented but also “humble and hard-working.” While with BISD, Christian took AP Honor and dual-credit Brazosport College classes, participated in the BPHS varsity orchestra, and was a part of the Spanish Honor Society.
BISD Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Academics Rita Cundieff, who has known Christian for many years shared, “I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that Christian has put into fulfilling his goal of becoming a professional dancer! His success is a great example for many of our young students and the fact that he got his start at his elementary school is even more touching. Christian’s story reaffirms our belief in Brazosport ISD, #From Here Anything is Possible.
Congratulations Christian, we wish you all the best on this very exciting adventure!