Dance has been in my life for the past 9 years and it is a part of me. I have gained quite a bit of knowledge and skills from this art but I have also gained so much more... I have gained an amazing group of friends. Dance is everything to me, and has improved my life 110%. It is something I can't imagine living without so here is why joining the dance program was my second chance.

All my life I wanted to fit in somewhere, just to feel like I belonged. I went from Soccer to Basketball and yes, while they were fun to play; they weren't my thing. I hated running, I still do to this day. I was always clumsy when kicking or handling the ball and I just never clicked with my teammates. Then dance happened. I finally felt like I belonged somewhere, even though I was always placed in classes with girls who were a few years younger than me. But when I graduated from high school and from my dance studio and danced in pieces with girls my age. I realized I'll miss dance when it's completely over. All summer long I pondered the idea about continuing my education in dance at college. That Summer, I committed to being a dance minor and I'm so happy that I did. The dance minor program is the best thing that has happened to me because it's where I made some of my closest best friends, I'm continuing my dance education and it's where my love for dance has grown.

I was never really super close with girls at my studio. Here in this program, I feel like I completely belong and that it feels like home. The amount of love and understanding and appreciation that comes out of the studio and the Center of the Arts is so great. It just fills your soul the minute you walk into the studio space. My friends I have gained are some of the most trustworthy and honest people I have met. They love me for me and all of my quirks and I couldn't ask anything more from them. They are always there for me when I need guidance or advice and they keep me laughing and smiling. One of the dance pieces I was in for our spring show... those who were in that piece (You know who you are❤) they became my family. I love them so much and couldn't have asked for a better group of people to have danced with for the past 8 months. All the memories that have come out of the dance program has made me feel so blessed.

My dance education has grown significantly thanks to three amazingly talented professors who I will look up to forever. The amount I have learned in the past 8 months of school is more than I could have every dreamed of. I have gained so much knowledge and strength from these three amazing women that I'm so excited to continue to learn and grow from.

My love for dance has been a rollercoaster through the past 9 years but towards the end it never faltered. My love for dance only grew stronger as I have been in the dance program. The individuals that I have met, the professional companies I have seen and also met, will always impact my life in a positive light.

My contemporary teacher from my studio said to me the last night of my senior show. He said "Never give up... always continue to dance." I've been blessed with the most amazing people in my life and I couldn't have met them without the dance program.