Q: What first got you into your sport, and what kept you motivated to stay in it?
A: I’ve been doing dance since I was really young, [since around four years old], so I’ve always been dancing, and I kind of knew when I got into high school, I was going to try out for the dance team. A lot of the girls I danced with outside of school danced here. They all graduated now, but it was kind of- [I wouldn’t say a tradition], but I kind of knew what was gonna happen.
Q: What [are] some of the methods you [use] while learning new or difficult choreography?
A: I definitely try to concentrate, [I] really like [being] by myself. [I try] not [to] talk to others [to] get [some] quiet. [I like being] in my own space, in my own mind, [going] through everything slowly, [ and doing it by myself both fast and slow]
Q: So, [do] you feel as working [in an] isolated space almost works better for you?
A: Yeah.
Q: What [does] your athletic schedule look like? During the season and off-season.
A: I practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and then during [the] winter season, around December, January, March, that’s when I start competing on the weekends, so I’m pretty busy.
Q: Okay, so you’re really busy all the time, you don’t really get a break?
A: Yeah.
Q: [During] the times you do get a break, what does that look like?
A: The only time I get a break will be during the summertime, even then, I will go to dance conventions or dance auditions, so less practice, more performance.
Q: Ok, so you’re really productive?
A: Yeah.
Q: How do you balance school and dance?
A: [Really, I just get my school work done whenever I can]. I’ll be in the car on my school computer. I will be doing some of my work in other classes, but really just trying to get everything done, every free chance I get.
Q: What’s something you do before a performance or a halftime show, any pregame rituals?
A: Not how much pre-game rituals, but I do always wear slippers, specifically animal slippers. I got a pair of cow slippers as a gift, and I just always wore them for good luck, and it became kind of a thing [at] my dance studio, where people would buy me slippers.
Q: Really?
A: I’ll just wear those. If you see me in the hallway on Friday, during a game day, I have on slippers. The day before a competition, I have on slippers, and I never wear them unless it’s for a performance.
Q: Okay, so it’s your good luck?
A: Yeah, [almost like] my lucky socks, except they’re not socks, they’re slippers.
Q: How do you deal with nerves before a big performance?
A: Isolate myself again, [similar to] how I learn choreography, [by] just being by myself. I love being around my teammates, but sometimes it [can] be a lot. There’s a lot of people talking, a lot of people stressing out, so l really appreciate just going into my own little corner, [and] breathing, making sure I don’t overthink anything, and just reminding myself that I’ve been doing this since I was young, and I got this. I just gotta go out and do it.
Q: Perfect. What do you do to take care of yourself as an athlete? [Such as] staying fit, diet, and sleep regimen?
A: I definitely eat a lot of fruit and drink a lot of water. I don’t get that good of sleep, but my diet’s pretty good. I eat a lot of fruit and water.
Q: And then, how is this season currently going, and what do you expect to see from the season?
A: The season’s going pretty well. A lot of our seniors [graduated last year]. So we’re a much, much smaller team, which I was kind of nervous about, but [now], I see it kind of as a benefit this year, because we’re all super close, right? We’re not very cliquey at all, [we’re all like one] big family, which I really appreciate this season.
Q: [So would you say the team’s bond and you guys being so close, helps the team perform better?]
A: Yeah, [it ] definitely helps us. [Say someone messes up], you could simply [say], “Hey girl, I can help you with that,” and then she’ll be like, “Okay, thanks, Queen”. Everyone’s super nice
Q: [So very much positive energy all around?}
A: Yes.
