FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort 14-year-old Vivian Val has been dancing since she was a little girl, and now the Lincoln-Way East student is competing in the national Dance Icon competition for a chance to appear in Ciara’s next music video, and win $20,000.

Voting for finalists ends at 9 p.m. Thursday. Vivian is currently fourth in the semi-finalists, and eight finalists will be selected to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, and perform live for Ciara and her choreographer. Then, one dancer will be chosen for the music video, according to a news release.

Vivian is trained in multiple dance styles, but her passion is hip-hop.

“Growing up, I’ve always loved dancing – it was the first thing that truly captured my heart,” Vivian told Patch. “Dancing not only brought me joy but also taught me discipline, determination, and the importance of hard work.”

Vivian is a part of the dance program at Lincoln-Way East, which she calls “an incredible experience.”

“We’ve come so far, and making it to the top 20 at state this year was a huge achievement. I’m so grateful for my coaches, Kara and Lamacki, who have been such amazing mentors and have helped create such a supportive and motivating environment,” she told Patch.

Vivian said she found out about the Dance Icon competition through social media.

“Over the years, my love for dance has grown even stronger. What started as something I loved has slowly turned into a serious passion, and I continue to dedicate myself to it every day,” she said.

Beyond her own aspirations, Vivian hopes to give back to the dance community, according to a news release. If she wins, she plans to support young dancers and local studios.