When I was younger, I tried just about every sport out there. I played peewee basketball when I was little, but tripped in the parking lot on the way to one of my games and decided that such a rough sport just wasn’t for me. I thought gymnastics might be more my style and tried my hand at tumbling. It wasn’t. From there I took a swing at tennis and missed. Then I flopped my way into the last place at every swim meet I competed in one summer. It seemed that despite my many attempts at athleticism, recreational sports just weren’t for me.

Then, I started dancing.

*Cue chorus of angels* From the moment I walked into the dance studio and slipped on my first pair of jazz shoes, I knew I found the sport for me. (Yes, it is a sport and I will battement you in the face if you disagree with me.) Every move felt effortless as I glided across the stage, taking to each step with ease and grace.

Just kidding. I was absolutely terrible in my first class.

Imagine a newborn giraffe without any bodily control stumbling across a dance floor repeatedly and you pretty much have me in my first Intermediate Stretch and Leaps class. I really overestimated my abilities when signing up for an intermediate class, but go big or go home, right? (I probably should have just gone home.) I didn’t know what a calypso was, my tilt couldn’t get above 90 degrees, and my center leaps looked more like sad star jumps. I repressed tears of embarrassment the entire class.

However, unlike every other sport I tried, was terrible at and subsequently quit, I didn’t want to give this up. I wanted to go back and get better. I signed up for more classes and took a slew of private lessons. I ended up making my high school dance team my junior year and joined a second studio team my senior year. I continue to dance in college and am incredibly thankful for that opportunity.

I think almost anyone who dances can tell you that it’s somewhat of an addiction. Even when I’m in my room alone, I can’t help but pop in my headphones and bust a move. They’re questionable moves, for sure, but there are no witnesses, so it’s fine. It’s one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done because there is always something that can be improved upon or a new trick that you can learn. There are numerous styles that are ever evolving and an infinite amount of ways to express yourself through movement.

But dancing isn’t just physical; it’s a mental game. It always manages to push me out of my comfort zone, making me a stronger and more resilient person. Whether it’s getting up the nerves to try out for a team, learning to overcome stage fright, or constantly interacting with new people at classes, camps, and on teams, dancing has made me a much more confident and outgoing person.

That’s what I love about dance — it’s about so much more than just dancing. Knowing how to do a pirouette is nice, but my experience on teams and in classes has taught me more important lessons regarding perseverance, discipline, teamwork, sacrifice, staying humble, being a leader, believing in yourself, and working hard. These are skills that help to build good character and create successful habits that will carry over into other aspects of my life. I think that is the great thing about any sport — it teaches you more than just how to throw a ball or run really fast. It teaches you about life.

Dance has also provided me with amazing friendships and role models. I can’t express how thankful I am for all of my amazing dance teachers and coaches who pushed me to be better. They saw potential when all I saw was an awkward 13-year-old girl who could barely touch her toes. Thank you to all of my amazing teammates who always make me laugh and who allowed me to come out of my shell. You guys are my inspiration and motivation on bad days and you all mean the world to me. I am thankful for all of our wonderful memories and I am excited for much more to come.

At the end of the day, dancing simply makes me happy and that’s what it’s all about. So dance like no one is watching, friends! And if they are, just ask them to join. It takes two to tango. You can’t samba single. You need a mate to mambo. Okay, I don’t know where I’m going with this. Happy dancing, friends!

“There are shortcuts to happiness and dancing is one of them.” — Vicki Baum