Valerie Rockey

From a tap-dancing dynamo to a soul-man belter, from Lauren Spierer to Larry Legend, these are the year’s most-viewed newsmakers.

Josh Kaufman and Valerie Rockey and John Green, oh my!

Valerie Rockey should win because the show crowns America’s Favorite Dancer, not the best dancer on the show. Choreographers don’t give her much to do in group numbers, but her gift all season has been personality.

The 20-year-old Franklin Central grad began dancing at age 3 at the Tippy Toes School of Dance on the south side.

Look for the wonderfully weird 18-year-old to go far on this season of So You Think You Can Dance, an unsung summer delight.