High School Journalism Institute

Dancing has always been her thing. From her first class to her recital just last May, Jenna Razo has it in her. And her dedication proves it.

Razo has received special awards at just about every competition that offers them. “I have always worked hard in class and practiced nearly every day just for fun,” said Razo. “In the end, it paid off with lots of top awards such as platinum and stand out dancer. It’s been 17 years now.”

Many kids look up to her and hope to dance just like her someday. She has helped their dreams come alive by starting her own dance studio where she teaches the majority of the classes.

Razo planned on finishing high school, going to college to study business and dance, and then opening up her own dance studio.

“I guess I figured I always wanted to do it in the long run,” Razo said. “I love working with kids. I guess it just happened sooner than expected. I got started on the business right away instead.”

Friends, family, and peers were behind Razo the entire time.

“I was really shocked and impressed that she was starting at such a young age,” said Krista Miller, a classmate.

“I was … behind her [100 percent],” said Karen Razo, Jenna’s mother. “I knew that we would have other support. I didn’t know it would be successful right away, but I knew it would work out eventually.”

Razo’s mom and former dance instructor, Suzy Fuelling, helped Razo come up with the name for the studio.

“They came up with things like ‘Razzle Dazzle’ and really anything that went with Razo,” Razo said. “One day Suzy e-mailed my mom ‘Razz M’ Jazz,’ and that is what we went with.”

Razo’s mom also helps out behind the scenes. She goes from behind the desk, to being Razo’s competition chauffer, to making a run to the sound booth with CDs in hand. “I call myself the office manager,” said Razo’s mother. “I do everything but teach the classes.”

Despite what others would think, the set up process for Razz M’ Jazz was not a problem.

“It wasn’t stressful at all,” said Razo’s mother. “Everything fell into place. We had teachers that we knew show up and students came as well.”

Students who attended Decatur Dance Academy (DDA) and former members of the Suzy Fuelling Dance Academy attended registration too.

“I wanted a change in my dance studios and Jenna was a good friend of mine,” Miller said. “I thought it would be fun to dance with her.”

Jenna liked the idea of a hometown studio. It would be her own “Hometown Glory,” as the song by Adele goes.

“I just wanted a place in town where kids could come and dance with their friends,” Jenna said. “I also wanted to dance with people I knew.”

Razz M’ Jazz has proved to be everything Jenna wanted.

“I like Razz M’ Jazz better than DDA because everyone is treated equally here,” Miller said. “Everything is more laid back. I feel less pressure. I like the choreography better too.”

Looking back on the last two years, there is not much 19-year-old Razo would change.

“At first I wanted to take business and dance classes," said Razo, "but I got started on the studio instead. It was earlier than expected, but it had to happen sometime.”

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