LAPLACE — Beauty and brains is an understatement when describing the bright, determined, refined and talented Jania Sherrie McMickle.

Jania is the 16-year-old daughter of Johnnie and Catrina McMickle of LaPlace.

Jania was recently crowned 2019 Royal Queen of Tori Lynn’s School of Dance of LaPlace and Kenner and was presented to family, students and alumni in a lavish court reception at the Royal Palms Convention and Event Center in Harvey.

Being the Royal Queen of Tori Lynn’s has been Jania’s dream ever since she enrolled in dance at the age of 4. Jania has always had a passion for dance, and it shows when she performs on stage and competes in local and national dance competitions.

Jania is currently a dance graduate at Tori Lynn’s and will continue her dance career as a dance instructor and competition coach. Jania is an honor student in the St. John The Baptist Parish School System. She is currently a junior at the STEM School in Reserve, where she is a principal’s list student and a member of Beta Club and Literacy Club. Jania has attended the school system’s Honor Roll Round Up every year since its inception. Lynn Williams-Lewis, who has been Jania’s dance teacher for the past 12 years, notes that when Jania is missing in action from dance school, it’s because she is at the library working on an academic school project or out of town with the STEM school at a Literacy Convention or Beta Club Convention.

Williams-Lewis said Jania is a “triple-threat” with her beauty (inside and out), her smarts and God given skills and talents. She said Jania does her best to excel in all areas as a youngster and knows that a great education and support system is the key to many doors opened and opportunities to come. Jania works hard to be prepared in all areas to achieve the goals and dreams she has for her future.

Jania, along with senior Kearis Carter are the captains of the East St. John Sugarette Dance Team under the direction of dance coach Ashley Lewis-Porter. Lewis-Porter said the Sugarettes are set for a stellar year with plans to attend a National High School Dance Competition in Spring 2020. Lewis-Porter notes that Jania has already made her mark as a great captain, as she demonstrates good leadership skills, has a caring, inclusive spirit, is always willing to help fellow dance team members and has the entire dance team’s best interest at heart.

Jania notes that she wants to make all of St. John Parish proud of the dance team. This includes, board representatives, school administrators, teachers, parents and fellow students. According to Lewis-Porter, Jania is not only a great academic student, but a master of choreography as well. She said this combination makes her a dance coach’s “dream dancer.”

By Lynn W. Lewis & Catrina McMickle, contributing writers