Standout Spartan: Rafaela Zepeda '26

This summer, Rafaela Zepeda ’26 participated in the Senior Summer Intensive at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London, where she trained in ballet, contemporary dance, and musical theatre along with students from Thailand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, Spain, India, and Germany. On the final day of the week-long intensive, groups of dancers participated in culminating performances. Rafaela and her group danced to music from “Rocketman the Musical.”

RAD faculty were deeply impressed by Rafaela’s dedication and unwavering focus throughout the program. She fully immersed herself in every aspect of the course, and her passion for dance was evident in her final performance, after which she was named the recipient of the RAD Senior Summer Intensive Tuition Award. The award grants her tuition for next summer’s intensive! 

Rafaela, whose proud family (including her mother, Middle School World Languages Teacher Claudia Ramirez) was in the audience, said, “It had been so long since I had danced or sung in a large company of peers, so I was already emotional toward the end of the performance. When they announced my name, I just started bawling!” She added, “It’s one thing to feel like you got everything you could out of an experience, but it's a completely different feeling to be complimented on and recognized for your energy, performance, dedication, and technique. And seeing my family in the audience just made me all the more proud of my accomplishments.” 

Congratulations, Rafaela!