NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Image above: Dennis Diones breakdances on the Reid Conference Center stage for the 'Langley's Got Talent' auditions. Credit: Sean Smith

Dennis Diones will be showing off his breakdancing skills at this years "Langley's Got Talent" competition at the 90th anniversary open house on Oct. 27.

His goal in the competition is to "show the public that NASA employees have a life outside of computers, satellites and rockets! Honestly, I enjoy showing people how fun breakdancing is," Diones said.

He began breakdancing at a party in the seventh grade and wanted to "blend in" on the dance floor. "My friend, Jevon Tyrone, taught me a few moves in my garage one afternoon and shortly thereafter I became addicted," Diones said.

Diones has been breakdancing for 12 years and has performed at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Lansing, Mich. and Christopher Newport University (CNU) events - most recently at the CNU Relay for Life and at a Dance for a Cure benefit.

He enjoys breakdancing because "I'm able to forget about the stresses of everyday life while expressing the way my mind and body feels in ways that words cannot describe."

Diones is a computer scientist for Science Systems and Applications Incorporated (SSAI) at the Atmospheric Science Data Center, where he works with the MY NASA DATA project.

When Dione is not working or breakdancing he enjoys being active through "kung fu, brazilian jiu-jitsu, biking, snowboarding and just about anything that gets my heart pumping!"

The competition begins at 12 p.m. at a stage just outside of the Reid Conference Center.

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Denise Adams
The Researcher News