Dancing queen comes home

Burke, a two-time winner of the ABC show "Dancing With the Stars,” followed the steps to become a professional dancer out of high school. The moves paid off landing Burke a spot on the hit show and a chance to tour the country beginning next month.

She was greeted with marriage proposals on posters and star struck questions from teens early Monday morning.

"It feels so good to be back at Menlo to inspire dreams and visit old teachers again. ... It moves me when I can move others,” she said.

Burke, 22, competed in two of the three seasons of the hit dance show. She first found victory in the arms of 98 degrees crooner Drew Lachey. Most recently she hit the dance floor with football star Emmitt Smith. The pair was named victorious after the audience voted to break the judge’s deadlock earlier this month. She will reunite with Lachey next week, when the pair begins training for "Dancing with The Stars The Tour.” She is not sure if she will return to the show.

"Cheryl graduated four years ago. Seniors, that means in five to six years you could be on the top of your own passion in your own field. There’s a lot of pressure to go to college but there are other pathways to a successful future,” said Administrative Vice Principal Matt Zito.

The 2002 Menlo-Atherton High School graduate began taking ballet lessons at 4 years old. When she was 13, she switched her focus to ballroom. Her family ballroom danced socially and she was hooked after seeing a competition. Now Burke is living in New York, dancing professionally and teaching ballroom dancing at Dance Time Square. She and her professional partner, Jose Decamps, compete about two times a month traveling to Europe four to five times per year.

During a competition, someone working for, "Dancing with the Stars,” noticed Burke and they called her for an interview. They offered her a spot but wouldn’t tell her who the partner would be. When she found out it was Drew Lachey a while before Burke was allowed to share her dance partner’s name even with her mother.

During her visit, Atherton Mayor Charles Marsala dipped the young dancer and presented her with a key to the city.

The presentation showed students just how hard work can pay off. Burke spoke for just under 10 minutes before taking questions like, "What do you think of Mario [Lopez]?” from the audience.

"It’s inspirational. Just four years ago she was here,” said sophomore Jessie Schwab.

Fifteen-year-old Kaity Iwashita agreed the presentation was uplifting. Iwashita is planning to attend college, but was happy to hear counselors and teachers would support other options.

The tour swings through San Jose on Dec. 27. For more information visit www.dancingwiththestars.aeglive.com/tour.php.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.