For Indian River junior Alyssa Murray, dance has always been more than a hobby. It’s been her infatuation and passion. After making a segue into cheerleading only several years ago, she now has the opportunity to showcase her talent on a national level… for the second time.

Only a year after being invited to dance at the pre-game ceremonies of the 2008 Orange Bowl, she’ll be putting on a show again, this time in Hawaii. Murray, along with four other high school dancers from the Shore Thunder Stars all-star cheerleading and dance studio in Laurel, was invited to perform at halftime of the NFL Pro Bowl.

“I’m more nervous this year,” she said, “but I’m really excited, too.”

On Jan. 31, Murray will head out to Hawaii for a week of routine training before hitting the field of Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on Feb. 8. While there, she will also compete in two solo performances for dance scholarships, separate from the half-time show.

“Everything is on a much larger scale,” she said this week. “Last year, it was college football. Now it’s the NFL. There are a lot more people watching.”

The routine, which dancers will see for the first time upon arriving in Hawaii, combines elements of cheerleading and dance.

“I’m really happy to be going this year with some more people I know,” Murray said. “I like cheerleading, but I’ve always considered myself more of a dancer.”

Her fellow dancers, also participating in the half-time show, are also Sussex County high school students, enrolled at Sussex Tech, Laurel and Cape Henlopen. While the trip itself plans for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, participants provide a not-so-cheap fare for the experience, but as Murray’s finding out, the community has her back.

“I’ve raised about half the money needed for the trip from donations from different business,” she said. “They’ve all helped out so much.” Included in the trip is a tour of Pearl Harbor.

This year marks the last time that the NFL Pro-Bowl will be held in Hawaii, as, starting next year, it will be held at the site of the Super Bowl. The final time for the game to be set in Hawaii only adds to the exclusivity of this year’s even for Murray.

“It feels great to be moving on up to something like this,” Murray said.

To contribute toward funding Murray’s travel, send payment’s to: 56 Mill Pond Dr., Selbyville, DE 19975.