Dancer reaching for the stars

By JAN HOGAN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

Bleeding toes and constant blisters.

It's all part of ballet and Crystal Wosik, a senior at Bonanza High School, knows it well. She wears those scars like badges as she heads to Australia this week to represent the United States.

"We're so proud of her for being invited," said Lena Wosik, her mother. "This competition is considered the Olympics of the dance world."

The competition lasts 1 1/2 weeks. Crystal Wosik, who won the Dancer of the Year award, is being sponsored by Illinois Theatrical. She will perform five routines, each one no longer than 2 1/2 minutes.

A last-minute donation from local orthodontist John Griffiths and his staff meant her mother will be able to accompany her. Bonanza High School staff and students also helped out, collecting $460, an effort spearheaded by football coach Bruce Eubank.

Crystal has been involved in dance since age 3, and took multiple classes in jazz, tap, ballet, gymnastics and cheerleading.

Competing since age 8, she has scads of regional and national titles in all those activities. She gets so many trophies she often gives them away to other competitors rather than lug them home.

Not that she thinks it's anything to brag about, but her dancing has earned her roles in half a dozen television commercials and a spot on the Marilu Henner show.

Wosik also competed on "Star Search" as part of a five-member dance team called "All American Girls." She tours throughout the U.S., participating in national dance competitions.

Fun stuff, but it's ballet that is closest to her heart. Wosik spends up to six hours a day, seven days a week perfecting her craft.

"I love ballet because of the graceful aspect of it," she said. "Ballet isn't work, it's my getaway."

When not keeping up her 3.8 grade-point average or doing volunteer projects, she teaches at Studio One Dance, 6700 W. Charleston Blvd. She takes instruction under the direction of Inez Mourning, who runs the studio. Crystal calls her a major influence.

Wosik earns summer ballet scholarships like other kids get cavities. She studied in San Francisco under Demara Bennet. Last year, a ballet scholarship took her to Alabama where she studied under Wes Chapman and another took her to New York City to train with the American Ballet Theatre.

With all her experience, one might think she was used to performing. Not so.

Crystal admits to getting so nervous before competitions that she "can't handle it" when people crowd her backstage and sometimes has to regurgitate.

As for her future, Crystal has colleges clamoring to give her dance scholarships, among them: California State University at Fullerton, Brigham Young University, Bradley University, Orange County College and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. But she's unsure which to choose.

She has her heart set on being a prima ballerina in a notable company. It's a career, she admits with a sigh, that's short-lived.

For now, Crystal's concentrating on the routines she'll do in Australia, packing and hoping she'll win.