A word from Zoey herself....a look into her mind... How Competitive Dance Shaped Who I Am Competitive dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s not just something I do after school or on weekends, it’s a huge part of who I am. The stage is where I feel the most confident, the most alive, and the most myself. When I dance, everything else fades away. It’s where I can tell stories without saying a single word. Over the years, competitive dance has shaped me in ways I never expected. It has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep going even when things feel impossible. There have been long nights, sore muscles, early mornings, and moments where I doubted myself. But dance taught me that growth doesn’t come from comfort, it comes from pushing through the hard parts. Every correction, every loss, and every mistake helped me become stronger not just as a dancer, but as a person. One of the biggest ways dance has changed my life is through confidence. Performing in front of judges and crowds at a young age teaches you how to be brave. It teaches you how to stand tall even when you’re nervous. Because of dance, I’ve learned how to believe in myself. That confidence follows me into school, friendships, and everyday life. At 14, one of my favorite parts of dance is coaching and helping younger dancers. I love being someone they can look up to, because I remember what it felt like to be the little kid staring up at the older dancers, hoping to be like them one day. Coaching makes me proud in a different way than performing. Seeing a dancer finally nail a turn they’ve been working on or smile after gaining confidence reminds me why I fell in love with dance in the first place. But being 14 and involved in competitive dance and coaching isn’t always easy. Sometimes people don’t take me seriously because of my age. They assume that because I’m young, I don’t know as much or that I shouldn’t be in a leadership role. It can be frustrating, especially when I put in so much time and heart into what I do. I’ve had to learn how to stay confident in myself even when others doubt me. I’ve also had to balance school, friendships, and the pressure that comes with competing and being a role model. It’s a lot sometimes, but it’s also what makes me stronger. Dance has also taught me responsibility. Being someone younger dancers look up to means I have to lead by example. I try to show kindness, patience, and dedication because I know they’re always watching. It’s made me grow up in a lot of ways, but it’s also helped me understand the kind of person I want to be. Most importantly, competitive dance has given me a sense of purpose. It’s not just about trophies or placements, it’s about passion. It’s about the friendships, the memories backstage, the nerves before stepping on stage, and the feeling when the music starts and everything clicks. It’s about the lessons that go way beyond dance. At 14 years old, I know I still have so much to learn and so far to go, but dance has already shaped my life in the best ways. It has made me stronger, more confident, and more driven. No matter where life takes me, I know dance will always be a part of who I am, not just as something I do, but as something that helped shape the person I’m becoming. Zoey B