Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore and dance team member Maya Araujo is the Juneau Empire athlete of the week.

Araujo, who performed in last month’s “Showtime” dance show, is one of the dance team officers. Coach Kayla Price says Araujo is a highly-skilled dancer and excellent role model.

“To dance at the level that Maya demonstrates takes many hours of technique class, stretching, strength and endurance training, but most of all it takes having a passion for dance,” Price said. “Maya’s passion shows through in every performance she gives, whether it’s at practice or in front of a huge crowd.”

As a freshman, Araujo and the team finished in the top-10 in both pom and hip-hop at nationals.