![Irandy Reyes](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/textimage/image.img.png/1566224805792.png)
![line break](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_1310746355.img.png/1565705487097.png)
The Beginning of a Journey
My childhood was a whirlwind. I was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Mexico until I was six, all before moving back to the U.S. My journey in dance started with Mexican Folklorico.
![Mexican Folklorico Dress folklorico dancer](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image.img.png/1566161302025.png)
![line break](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_151785543.img.png/1565705622368.png)
Overcoming
OU’s School of Dance is nation-leading in ballet and modern dance training, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy to get in; I actually didn’t make the cut after my first audition. But I persisted and am now proud to be training and dancing with some of the best in the world.
![OU Dancers Performing OU Dance performance](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_1918612879.img.png/1566161280389.png)
![line break](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_151785543_copy.img.png/1565705622368.png)
Connecting with My Roots
OU is one big family and there’s a place for everyone. I was able to find friends within my program, but it was my experience with Mr. & Miss Hispanic OU that showed me just how welcoming and diverse the OU Family is.
![Hispanic American Student Association international students](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_1310088150.img.jpg/1566161263261.jpg)
![line break](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_151785543_copy_878556483.img.png/1565705622368.png)
Dancing Around the World
One of my favorite things I was able to do with OU was study dance abroad in Spain. It was a wonderful experience because I got to learn about their dancing culture, which is quite different and beautiful.
![Spain Spain](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_953614646.img.png/1566161289790.png)
![line break](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_151785543_copy_1838699300.img.png/1565705622368.png)
![OU Logo](/content/iwill/stories/irandy_story/_jcr_content/contentpar/image_454993808.img.png/1561991572738.png)