CENTENNIAL, Colo. — For everyone in the Inspirations Dance Company, especially owner Shannon Dunagan, this the day they've all been working for.
"This is our Super Bowl. This is our big recital," Dunagan said. "We have been preparing. These kids are all so pumped. They have been working so hard."
Every time someone takes the stage, dancers like Avery Haavind give it their all for the crowd.
"I kind of black out and just do what I know," Avery said.
Every time the music starts, dancers depict a different kind of emotion. But, out of all the 44 numbers taking the stage Saturday night, only one would start like this.
"We would like to dedicate our next dance to the students, teachers, and families who were affected by the tragedy STEM School Highlands Ranch," Avery told the crowd while holding hands with the other dancers. "We are saddened that our world has come to this, but we as kids have taken it upon ourselves to find the good in people and make a change."
The dance is called "Love Wins".
"We hope to shed some light on what has been happening and the tragedies that have been happening," Avery said.
Avery used to go to the STEM School. Her brother still does and was there when the shooting started.
"He's doing better now. He was a bit shaken up for a while," Avery said.
A lot of people were shaken up. That's why Avery and the others dedicated this dance.
"They're kind of angry and they want to believe there's good in people," Dunagan said. "They're not going to let this define their generation which I think is huge."
A dance to remind everyone that no matter the pain, love does win, Avery says.
"We want to make people smile and if we can just make one person smile then that's all we wanted," Avery said.