Determination. Passion. Acceptance. Discipline. Leadership. Knowing how to handle criticism. I have learned all of these plus many more through dance. These traits have not only helped me throughout my life thus far but will continue to do so in the future. I plan to attend the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, study business management and gerontology, continue my dance career, and eventually manage an assisted living facility or something similar to that.
From my first competition when I was around eight years old, I knew I belonged on the stage. I had found home. The feeling of completeness that I get when I'm on stage is like no other. This has enabled me to open up my eyes to other aspects of my life as well. It has made me realize that God has given me the ability to dance, and for that I am eternally grateful. The amount of faith that I have in God after finding where I belong has given me hope for the future. I'm one of those people that has to have everything planned out, and my future, as is everyone else's, is unknown. However, until I first stepped on a competition stage, I didn't know that dance would become such a major part of my life. Because of this, I have come to accept that there will be parts of my life that will fall into place when the time is right, just as dance did when I initially started competing.
Nevertheless, life can throw some curve-balls. I have had ongoing back and hip injuries for the past four years that have interfered with my dance career. At first I was saddened and disappointed that I would have some setbacks to overcome, but now, the challenge excites me. I have become an incredibly determined person with an outstanding work ethic, which has gotten me to where I am today. With this determination, I plan to attend the University of Eau Claire and major in business and receive a minor in both dance and gerontology. After talking with admissions personnel, I have come to discover that this will be quite the load that I am undertaking. However, it is doable, and I believe that with the skills I've learned through dance, I can manage it.
Determination is not the only trait that will help me achieve all of this though. Passion plays a major role in obtaining my future goals. Dance has taught me to be passionate about what I love to do, and this has lead me to make the decision to obtain a minor in dance. I truly believe that I would not be the same person without it; therefore, I must continue dancing as long as possible. Not only that, but being able to share my love for dance in future years would make it all the more wonderful.
However, I realize that the path of my future may not always be easy, and I am prepared for this. Despite all of the awards, scholarships, and recognition I have gained during my years in dance, not every judge has liked me. The judges are there to give critiques on how to improve, and it is a dancer's job to apply them. Knowing how to handle criticism is probably one of the most important things I have learned as a dancer. The world has plenty of hate in it, and I am ready for it. As much as I don't want failure to be an option, sometimes it is inevitable. When it is inevitable, I will be there ready to learn from it, correct my mistakes, and move on with my life. Not everyone I meet will like me, but because of dance I have learned how to handle those situations in an effective manner.
In the present, I have been using all of these traits in and out of the dance studio. I have maintained at least a 3.86 GPA my whole high school career, while dancing 17+ hours weekly, obtaining several jobs, and being an active member in seven different clubs. I also continue my relationship with God, family, and friends. Although at times this can be stressful and overwhelming, through the work ethic and discipline that dance has taught me, I have been able to stay focused on the most prominent tasks to get the job done.
Although the future can seem intimidating at times and the world too big for one small-town girl to make a difference in, I am prepared. I know what I want, and because of what dance has taught me, I will do everything in my willpower to achieve it. Nothing is impossible with God on my side, good morals to back me up, and passion for everything I put my time and effort into. I may not be able to directly make a difference in the world, but I can surely make a difference in someone's life, and that is exactly what I intend to do.