To most people, a room with a mirror and a barre may not seem like much, but for me, it’s the room where my life changed, as well as many other dancers. That very room is where I discovered who I was, who I wanted to be and developed the courage to go after it. Being a dancer is a central part of my identity, something I can’t live without. Leaving my studio to go to college this year was the hardest goodbye and when I come home, it’s the most exciting hello.

I started dancing when I was only 2 years old; I also spent the first few classes crying in my moms lap. But suddenly one day, everything just clicked. I may have only been two years old, but I think my mind knew that I needed to dance to be happy. So that’s exactly what I did. However, it was really only a hobby, something I did after school, until I turned 10 years old.

When I turned 10, I was asked to join the studio’s competition team. When I said yes, and became a company member was when dance started becoming a priority. I quit things that interfered with my company classes and started to miss a lot of things my friends were doing because I couldn’t miss class. People ask me all the time if I regret dancing so much because I did miss out on a lot of things, but I don’t regret anything. Missing a birthday party is a small price to pay for the feeling you get when you step on stage, with all eyes on you, and two minutes to make an impression

The more time I spent in the studio, the more I realized how much I needed dance. Dance is an escape, a distraction and just something I love. I can honestly say that without dance I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through the roller coaster that is high school. There was never a problem that a few hours in the studio couldn’t help fix; I could clear my head and find happiness in a community where I felt welcomed and accepted. Dance really brought me a happiness and sense of confidence when I couldn't find it anywhere else. It always puts a smile on my face - despite being tired and sore all the times. Even the injuries are ok to deal with because they come from something I love doing.

My studio is full of the…strangest, yet best people I’ve ever met. They’re all downright crazy, so crazy they worry me. But, the love I have for them is endless. We’re all really just a big crazy family and I wouldn’t want it any other way. We have our ups and downs, but with the amount of time we spend together, it can’t be perfect all the time. But in the end, we would do anything for each other and are each others biggest fans. We would nothing without our teachers though; my dance teachers watched me grow up, make mistakes, and learn from them. Without them, I would’ve never left for college with the confidence I did. They taught me to believe in myself and to not let anyone bring me down. Even though I’m five hours away I know I can always count on them and talk to them because they know me better than I know myself. Also, if I didn’t dance I wouldn’t have met my best friend Bailey and who knows how I would function as a human without her to rant to, embarrass myself with, cry on, laugh with, and so much more.

Dancers shaped me into the person I am today and I’m forever grateful I have such an amazing place to call my second home.