College Park HS Student Zara Poon Earns Alvin Ailey Dance Scholarship to Train in New York City

Rising sophomore from Academy of Science and Technology prepares for national stage after full scholarship award

Monday, June 16, 2025 – 3:00 PM

The Woodlands, Texas – Zara Poon, a rising sophomore at College Park High School and student at the Conroe ISD Academy of Science and Technology, has earned a full-tuition scholarship to attend the prestigious Alvin Ailey Junior Division Summer Intensive in New York City. The intensive, known for cultivating top-tier dancers in ballet and modern technique, represents a dream opportunity for the 15-year-old performer.

Poon, who trains with the Houston Contemporary 2 Dance Company, will depart later this month for the three-week program held at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Manhattan. The scholarship comes after her successful audition in Dallas earlier this year, held at the renowned performing arts high school there.

The Student Center caught up with Zara during her Sunday afternoon appointment at Box Braids by Bell, where her hair was being styled by Mrs. Bell in preparation for the trip. The interview, conducted on location, offers a behind-the-scenes look at her excitement and preparation.

A Local Dancer with National Ambitions

Zara has been dancing since she was three years old, and she views dance as more than just an art form—it’s her outlet for expression.

“I’m a pretty quiet person,” she explained. “So this is how I express myself—how I emote, basically.”

Her mother, Rachel Poon, shared her thoughts “She just becomes a whole other person on stage,” she said. “She lights up. I just see her heart and her soul when she dances.”

Zara’s journey in dance is matched by her strength in academics. The Academy of Science and Technology—located on the campus of College Park High School—is a magnet program focused on rigorous STEM education, where Zara is exploring interests that range from medicine to engineering.

“I don’t have anything super specific in mind yet,” Zara said of her long-term career goals. “I took a medical class this past year and thought it was cool, so I’ve been exploring that recently.”

A Dream in the Making

While her career plans may still be forming, her admiration for Alvin Ailey has been long established. “I’ve been looking up to Alvin Ailey since forever,” she said, smiling. “My parents both lived in New York for a really long time, and I’ve been there before. It’s so pretty—I love it there.”

Her mother agreed. “She’s a level-headed girl. I think she’s going to do well,” Rachel Poon said. “I’m proud of her and excited for her to have this whole experience by herself, take lots of great classes, and just enjoy the city.”

Photo credit: Fluid Frames Dance Photgraphy

Before heading to New York, Zara will appear in Limitless, the season-ending production by Houston Contemporary 2. The concert-style performance will take place at MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston) on Thursday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, June 21 at 5:00 p.m.

What Comes Next

The Alvin Ailey Junior Division Summer Intensive is among the most competitive and respected youth dance programs in the country. Dancers are trained by professional choreographers and instructors with deep roots in the Ailey legacy, emphasizing discipline, artistry, and foundational technique.

For Zara, the opportunity means more than skill-building. It’s a stepping stone toward discovering her full potential—both as a performer and as a young adult ready to explore the world. “I train in almost all of the styles,” she said. “But Alvin Ailey is mostly ballet and modern, so I really enjoy contemporary and modern the most.”

Zara’s path demonstrates that students don’t have to choose between science and the arts. As a focused student in the Academy of Science and Technology and a dedicated performer with Houston Contemporary 2, she balances both worlds with discipline and grace. Her upcoming training in New York reflects what’s possible when academic drive and creative passion go hand in hand. The community is proud of her, and we wish her the very best as she takes this exciting next step.