Anna Stephens

Mrs. Stanley

AP Language 1A

24 May 2018

Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell

us about yourself.

Have you ever been involved in something fully encompassing of yourself that you are

unable to imagine being without it? Dance has created that passion for me. I can honestly say I

would not be nearly the person I am today without the lessons and experiences I have gained

through dancing for over a decade. The amount of self discipline I have obtained through

pushing day in and day out, six days a week, 10 out of the 12 months of the year is uncanny.

The number of “Your leg can get higher than that” and “One more time” (although it was

never just one more time) will forever be at first a seemingly painful memory, until. Until I

realize I am no longer going to the studio today to see my incredible strong empowering dance

teachers. Until I have had a tough day and need to let out all of my stress, yet don’t have the

luxury to head to dance and do so. Until I won’t see my lifelong ride or die friends almost every

single day of the week to rely on, laugh with, cry with, and learn with. I have grown more than I

have believed I could, and I was able to do so while expressing my art form.

A highly anticipated performance put on by my studio every year is the ballet The

Nutcracker. Since I had known about the show at eight years old it had been my dream to be

Clara, the lead. Being a dancer it’s essential to come to terms with the fact that perfection is
impossible, which is not a perfectionists favorite thing to hear. No one ever stops being a student

when studying dance, and I took that to heart. I absorbed everything I could. I worked for

everything I gained. Nothing is simply given, it is deserved. When I saw the cast list and my

name under the role of Clara I was ecstatic. Soon however excitement turned to nerves. Leading

up to the first rehearsal I began feeling overwhelmed and anxious with the weight of being the

lead settling over me. My dance teacher, having known me for years could tell I was off. She

pulled me aside and said, “Get out of your head. You were chosen for this role for a reason, the

only person you need to prove that to is yourself.” From that moment on I realized confidence

was what would set me apart. Not confidence as in big headed or snobby, but belief in myself

and my ability. With the power of a confident mindset I was dancing and performing with a new

found ease. Not only had it affected my dance ability, but also the type of leader I wanted to be. I

made the decision to empower others as my dance teacher had done to me. Because it was my

job to be the role model to the younger dancers that were me only years before.

Dance has contributed immensely to the makeup of who I am. Facing a difficult schedule

every week and learning to manage AP courses, volunteering, and of course dance was tough.

However, ultimately it gave me experience to how college life truly is. I have also been blessed

to experience the feeling of being apart of a team. Through my many years of dancing I

competed with my studio at countless dance competitions, even going as far as becoming

national champions in 2016. Through tiresome rehearsals from late nights and early mornings the

team always came first. I learned while sometimes the easiest solution for oneself isn't the best

for the team and how to handle that. I owe who I am and what I hope to become to every

incredible opportunity and learning experience dance has gained me, and I wouldn't change it for
a thing. So, although soon enough I may not have the all encompassing comfort dance is able to

provide for me now, I will forever be grateful to how dance made me me.