Boxes stacked high, rooms emptied of memories and the constant hum of packing tape. Every move means the beginning of a new chapter, but the feeling of being untethered lingers, as if the weight of all the packed-up memories is too much to carry.
Constantly moving through her childhood, senior Uma Devarakonda has found herself navigating the challenges of being the “new kid” more times than she can remember. Each move brought a mix of excitement for new adventures and anxiety over starting from scratch. Every new beginning meant hoping to find a sense of belonging in a place that still felt foreign.
“From a young age, I moved around a lot,” Devarakonda said. “I’ve been enrolled in eight different schools from preschool to high school. Overall, it is a very enticing experience and there are a lot of unique experiences that I have as opposed to some other kids that I meet, but I always felt very impermanent.”
Each transition came with its own set of difficulties. Moving to a new city meant adapting to different environments, understanding different social dynamics and dealing with the constant sense of impermanence.
“The main repercussion was loneliness,” Devarakonda said. “I always had this underlying idea in my mind that we’re not going to be here forever. So, I found it very hard to build and connect to a community.”
Although she always loved dancing, moving frequently made it difficult to stay with a single studio or group. Despite these challenges, dance remained a source of stability no matter where life took her.
“This is my thirteenth or fourteenth year doing dance,” Devarakondra said. “Throughout my life, dance felt like a universal community. I was able to find comfort in dance wherever I went.”
When she arrived at Carroll in her freshman year, Devarakondra was on a mission to find a place where she felt she belonged. That search led her to Bollywood Dance Club.
“At that first meeting, everyone was so outgoing,” Devarakondra said. “I could tell they were trying to create a positive impact beyond the small dance group.”
For the first time in a long time, Devarakonda felt at home. The club became a place where she could be herself without worrying about whether she’d have to leave it all behind again.
“Everyone was so friendly and welcoming,” Devarakonda said. “It felt like something bigger than dance. It felt like a family”
The club’s welcoming environment became a space where members could express their individuality and celebrate their shared love of dance.
“It’s a very safe space where everyone feels valued and included,” Devarankondra said. “Nobody judges you for where you’ve been or how you got there.”
Fellow club member senior Fabiha Oyshi agrees, emphasizing the impact Bollywood Dance Club has had on her confidence
“Even though I perform at a lot of places that are for Bollywood Dance, I don’t get the hype I have when I work with Uma,” Oyshi said. “She’s my biggest cheerleader and honestly one of my favorite people.”
As she became more involved in the club, Devarakonda took on a leadership role and was eventually elected co-president. In this position, she has made it her mission to challenge misconceptions about dance.
“I noticed that when I talk to people about my experiences with dance they have a very one-dimensional view of what dance is,” Devarakonda said. “People think it’s exclusive or you need years of experience, but Bollywood Dance Club proves otherwise.
Her co-president, senior Swati Shankar, believes Devarakonda’s leadership has helped shape the club into something special.
“Uma is really good at being inclusive,” Shankar said. “She helps everyone when they’re stuck with choreo but also keeps the sessions casual and fun. That comforting learning environment is what makes our club so special.”
Under Devarakonda’s leadership, the club has seen an increase in members from diverse backgrounds.
“We have a super diverse crowd,” Devarakonda said. “This year, specifically, there has been a huge increase in the number of members who aren’t ethnically South Asian. They’re finding a place to explore, have fun and be safe and that is exactly the kind of environment I hope to create.”
Now, she encourages others who feel lost or disconnected to join the club.
“Give it a try,” Devarakonda said. “You might come in feeling uncomfortable, but you’ll leave feeling connected and empowered. This club has become my home away from home and it can become many others’ safe place.”
