With the season coming to an end for dance, two very special girls are celebrating their last year here at Castaic. It’s marking more than just the end of a season. It celebrates four years of dedication, growth, and commitment from seniors Mia Mendoza and Madison Richarte, who have been part of the Castaic dance program since their freshman year.
Both dancers joined the team when the program was still new and finding its footing among some of the most competitive teams in the valley. What started as long rehearsals and learning counts quickly turned into a defining part of their high school experience. Through early mornings, late practices, and more hairspray than anyone wants to actually admit, Mendoza and Richarte helped shape the culture of the team.
For Richarte, the past four years brought more than technical improvement. She reflected on how dance helped her grow as a person, especially as team captain. Over time, she learned to put her teammates first and admire their strengths and growth rather than focusing only on her own performance. That mindset, she said, changed not just how she danced, but how she led.
Dance is often seen as a graceful and effortless sport, but Richarte pointed out that it’s also physically and mentally exhausting. Competitive dance demands discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. Despite the pressure to chase high scores, she shared that she was never motivated by trophies. Instead, she was drawn to the art of the movement itself and ability to express emotion through dance, even when her legs were sore and rehearsal ran late.
For Mendoza, her dance journey has also been very challenging, with this year’s summer camp being at the top. She explained that dancers are under a huge time crunch to learn several routines which is incredibly stressful. However, she shared how “it’s a chance to begin bonding with your new teammates and set your intentions for the rest of the school year,” making every practice rewarding and worth it.
Some of Richarte’s favorite memories did not happen on stage, but right before stepping onto it. The team would huddle together, offering encouragement and calming nerves, sometimes repeating the same pep talks they had heard dozens of times before. Those moments of unity, she said, made every performance feel meaningful and reminded them why they worked so hard.
Being part of the dance team also helped Richarte grow more confident. Performing in front of supportive teammates and audiences taught her to believe in herself and recognize her own accomplishments. Over time, she became more comfortable being proud of her progress, a skill she says took just as much practice as the choreography.
Mendoza shared that same dedication throughout all four years. Dancing at Castaic has really pushed her to come out of her shell. She explained, “When you are dancing as a team, you are forced to speak up and communicate with everyone involved in order to produce the best performance possible.” Her commitment speaks through her consistency and presence on the team.
Mendoza stood alongside Richarte from the program’s earlier days, contributing to its growth and success. Together, they experienced the challenge of being underestimated and the pride that came with providing themselves on national stages like WCE Nationals, where the team earned top placements and recognition.
Senior night is both a celebration and a farewell. For Mendoza and Richarte, it represents the end of a chapter filled with growth, teamwork, and memories that range from powerful performances, to moments they now laugh about. As they take the floor one last time as Castaic dancers, they leave behind a legacy built on commitment, resilience, and heart, and maybe a few inside jokes that only the team will ever understand.
