A Year In Everything: Lakin Starling

Throughout this mournful year, I found myself needing constant sources of good energy. I found THAT ENERGY in the countless videos of gifted young dancers on the internet. It became one of my favorite pastimes to spend chunks of time looping Twitter and Instagram videos of viral or bound-to-be-viral kids and their moves. I hyped them through my screen, sent links to my little brother asking him what the names of certain challenges were, and often teared up at their passion. Below are some of my favorite .gifs, clips, and videos from the year in dance.

An Ode To “Sorry”

🍋🍋 pic.twitter.com/SnTCjC5bMQ
— dw. (@kushNdiamonds) April 26, 2016

After Beyonce released Lemonade album, “Sorry” became an anthem for unapologetic women and girls all over. This adorable little lady taps into her fierceness as she she sings and dances to the hook — with an serious emphasis on “Boy, bye.”

Usher’s “No Limit” Video

In the Young Thug-featuring video, Usher calls on talented young dancers like Meechie, Toosi, Shmateo, and Ayo to step up to the spotlight and show him some moves. Besides watching Usher beam while hitting the folks, it’s endearing to see these young guys dance together.

When Instagram Star Cece Was Inspired By Solange’s Choreography

@saintrecords 😂😂😂😂😂😂 #solangeknowles #beyonce Tag her please @saintrecords

A video posted by Cece #teamcece 🎬#moveinsilence (@thececeshow) on Sep 28, 2016 at 6:19pm PDT

While teasing her visuals for A Seat at the Table, Solange put a video on her Instagram of her doing her choreography, and the hilarious and adorable Instagram star Cece made a video reenacting her moves. It was so adorable that Solange reposted.

Markenna Steps Up To Chris Brown’s #KrissKrossChallenge

He learned ... 😂 (just a regular day at @lye_academy) 🙏🏽 #KrissKrossChallenge

A video posted by GET EM MARKENA ! (@markenaaa) on Nov 6, 2016 at 8:50am PST

Nine-year-old Markena bodied this young boy in the parking lot as a part of Chris Brown’s #KrissKrossChallenge — so much so, the singer reposted the video with the caption “Ladies winnning 🙏🏾"

Taylor Hatala & Kyndall Harris Dancing To “Panda”

These all-star besties went viral with this video of them dancing to one of 2016’s most polarizing songs.

The Most Lit Math Class Ever

With the help of their phenomenal teacher, this fourth grade math class threw some on heat the rules of long division with a song and some moves.

When Shmateo Invented The Reverse Dance

After this video it was over 💪🏽🔥 #Repost @shmateo_ with @repostapp ・・・ @zayhilfigerrr & @ogleloo was too lit 😭🔥🎸 || #hitdemfolks #ayoandteo #reversequan #reversenaenae #reversehitdemfolks #2016dances || 👅 #skrtskrt

A video posted by Creator Of "Reverse"™ 🐼 (@shmateo_) on Dec 7, 2016 at 8:48am PST

This emerging dancer came up with the dance where you do all of the most popular moves, except backwards.

When 4-Year Old Tavaris Jones Juju’d On That Beat On Ellen

Let me tell you something I know for sure – you are not ready for this little boy on my show tomorrow.

A video posted by Ellen (@theellenshow) on Oct 16, 2016 at 11:23am PDT

The viral tot did the challenge so well that he landed spot on daytime television, where he killed it.

J’Den’s Legendary #ReverseChallenge

#WHYYOUMAD #REVERSEprincess #jswayy #jdendance #kidgoalss #yumad #whyumad #twayne #jden @twayne THIS VIDEO IS REALLY GOING VIRAL! IVE SEEN PEOPLE REMIXING IT ADDING NEW MUSIC ADDING MEMES AND EVERYTHING ! BUT THIS IS THE ORIGINAL CLIP @TWAYNE POSTED !!!!! 💜🙃🔥👸🏽👑 YES THATS ME SO TAG ME IN THIS VIDEO IF U SEE IT!!!! SONG: WHY YOU MAD - TWAYNE

A video posted by J'Den #KiDGOALSs 💜 (@imdj_stl) on Dec 1, 2016 at 12:00pm PST

Her version got her the “Reverse Princess” title.

Also, J’Den’s #SleepChallenge In The Driveway

HEY YALL SEND ME REQUESTS #washmyfeetlikechy #sleepchallenge #jdendance #putsomerespeckonmyname

A video posted by J'Den #KiDGOALSs 💜 (@imdj_stl) on Jul 11, 2016 at 1:28pm PDT

She’s so lit.

Fresh The Clowns Introduced The #TZAnthem To The World

#freshtheclowns be lit!!! Creators of #jujuondatbeat dance trend

A video posted by #FTCchallenge on iTunes🎶 (@freshtheclowns) on Aug 18, 2016 at 8:18pm PDT

This pair of Detroit clowns reached out to Zay Hilfigierrr to make a song for the dance, which would eventually become “Juju On That Beat.”

JBH’s Backyard Moves To “Fall In Love”

Finally, I've been waiting forever for @yvngswag to drop this. #fallinluvchallenge Thanks for dropping this @yvngswag (Sorry for the bad audio)

A video posted by Littttt (@jbh_studios) on Nov 1, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT

Dancer/Rapper Yvng Swag reposted this video of JBH after he danced to his song, “Fall In Luv.” A few weeks later, JBH’s nimble moves went viral again (He can get lit to country too!!!)