Seeing It Through Their Eyes

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One might say that Claudia Soto, O.D., wears two sets of glasses. By day, she is an optometrist who helps patients improve their vision. And y night, she is Florida Atlantic University's spirit coordinator and head dance coach, helping students turn their vision of being competitive team members into a reality.

An alumna of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Soto chose to attend Florida Atlantic to remain close to home. She joined the dance team in 2004 – the same year the team finished second at the National Dance Association competition open division – and served as its captain in 2005 and 2006. She also met her husband, Jeremy Vaca, in her undergraduate biology class.

2017-18 FAU Athletics Head Shots Claudia Soto-Vac

2017-18 FAU Athletics Head Shots Claudia Soto-Vac

Soto graduated from Florida Atlantic with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2006. Two years later, she began a five-year optometry program at Nova Southeastern University. She was up to her eyes in studies, both literally and figuratively: But when an opportunity to judge a Florida Atlantic dance team audition opened in 2010, she couldn't resist. Soto enjoyed it so much that she quickly moved into an assistant coaching position. The program's familiarity, proximity to home, and ability to serve as a role model was a winning combination for her.

"I see it through their eyes – it was the same for me when I was on the team," said Soto about the challenges team members face in juggling school, college life, work, and dance. "I worked a part-time job. I was at school and was a member of the dance team. Knowing those things, I can give them feedback of 'you can do it.'"

Soto still relies on those time-management skills and discipline to help navigate her days – not only as a coach, but as an optometrist, a wife, and a mom to her 3-year-old son.

"People do not see the preparation for game day and all the technical things that come with performing at the highest level – working together for nine months, through much of the summer while many have jobs along with school," So said. "Sometimes it gets overwhelming. It is all totally possible; you just have to manage your time and plan ahead. It has worked out for most, and hopefully, they will use that discipline after college."

Soto has led the dance team to multiple top-10 finishes, but the highlight of her coaching career is not memorialized in a trophy – it is the relationships forged and memories made along the way.

"The 2017-18 year was very difficult in that we had internal things and family things happening, which brought the team together and brought the light that there is more to life than dancing," Soto said. "It set us in motion to have a really successful year because it was a tight-knit group. With that closeness, we were able to place as high as we had ever placed – second Division 1A – which is one of the toughest divisions. Just being able to culminate with that at the end made it special."

The team also remains bonded through honoring former dance team member Victoria Strauss '19. In January 2021, Strauss suffered a tragic accident and passed away while attending graduate school in Ohio. Her mother recently hosted the third annual gingerbread party held in Strauss' honor, and many former dancers attended.

"Working with dance and having administrative oversight of cheer is so special for me," said Soto. "The spirit team members are here for four years, and then they move on. The hope is that something sticks, more than just the dance and cheer parts. The relationships built are what is special. They build relationships, move on from this time in their life, get married, have children, and still have connections. It is awesome to see."

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