Ballet "LIFT"s dancer to more

Our favorite quotes from Steven Melendez's recent opinion piece for cnn.com

• "Through ballet, I learned discipline, resilience and creativity,"

• "The rigorous training demands an unwavering commitment, punctuality and the relentless pursuit of perfection,"

• "The countless hours of practice and inevitable setbacks taught me the art of perseverance and the ability to endure, adapt and bounce back from failures,"

• "Talent knows no boundaries...it only seeks a platform,"

• "Arts are not extracurricular activities...when taught well, they are the underpinning of cognitive growth and self-esteem and the myriad benefits that come with them,"