For me, dance began when I was three years old at Susan’s Studio of Dance in Lufkin. Within a couple of years, I was taking in Livingston at Studio C where I learned to transform myself into whatever character was necessary for the situation. Bratty orphan in “It’s a Hard Knock Life”? Check. Gene Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain”? Check. Radio City Rockette? Check. Voodoo Master doing fouettes in black light wearing tap shoes, a tuxedo, and a top hat while holding a skull-topped staff? Check. Reinventing myself each year, sometimes as multiple characters in one show, became natural. Switching quickly from one character or style of dance to another, taking on different mannerisms and facial
expressions, trying to hold an audience’s attention when I wasn’t covered with sequins and rhinestones . . . At the time I had no idea how this was preparing me for my future, but getting to be so many different characters gave me the confidence and tenacity to excel in all kinds of situations.
In high school, I was a varsity cheerleader for four years and captain for three. I competed in speaking events for Livingston High School’s FFA chapter, served as secretary and later on as president for FFA, and also served as the District Secretary for SkillsUSA. In 2015, I was honored to be chosen as Miss Polk County which allowed me the opportunity to do everything from teach the letter Q to a group of elementary students (I was a “Queen”) to speaking to state government leaders when they visited our community. As if I wasn’t busy enough, I somehow managed to also work at Studio C and take lyrical and pointe with Jenny Baxley-Gutierrez at The Dance Studio in Onalaska.
I graduated in the Top 10% of my class, attended, Texas A&M University, and am now living in College Station where I am a licensed health insurance agent.
Looking back, I realize that being a part of Studio C is more than learning tap combinations or competition dances. It is giving yourself the opportunity to build the confidence you need to thrive in your life, no matter what character you become.