Adrenaline; The feeling you get on the floor, kicks are going straight to your face. Russians are overextended. The fans are cheering for you. Especially your biggest supporter. Last season, I was on the JV team, it was such a great season with even greater people! The varsity team was phenomenal. I was so sad to see the seniors leave, but the senior I will miss the most is Kendra Lecy because of the impact she left on me. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to make varsity this year. She worked with me all of last season to make me a stronger and better kick dancer. Kendra helped me gain more confidence, strongly encouraged me, and inspired me to be the person that younger dancers go to for help.

Kendra helped me gain confidence by giving me critiques. She didn’t say them in a rude tone she was very nice about it and when I would walk on the floor I wouldn’t be super nervous because those critiques played over and over in my head as I was dancing. I just simply remember and do the act. Working with her made me less nervous while being around other varsity girls. I felt like I belonged and that I was almost as good as them.

The way that Kendra encouraged me was so heartwarming. After I would mess up during a performance she would pull me to the side and tell me these wonderful things and I couldn’t help but smile. She always told me to keep going, never give up, and smile. Kendra was such a big supporter of mine. Even though she worked with others and I couldn’t always have her time, she'd make sure that I could get at least five minutes with her, because of that it made me feel important.

I was inspired by Kendra because she is such a positive athlete and person. She was always that one person that people would go to if they needed help or if they just needed to talk. I could definitely see why the coaches chose her as a captain. Kendra inspired me to be the person that younger kids can look up to. I want to be the person that everyone comes to if they need to talk, hear some advice, or just need help with a dance skill. I also try my very hardest to always be positive at dance practice, just like she was.

Even though I didn’t get to know Kendra until her senior year, she will always be at the top of my list of people I look up to. The adrenaline I got last year on the floor is all from her, hearing her scream my name would give me a rush to make her proud. Because of Kendra I have gained confidence, have been encouraged when I’ve wanted to quit, and have been inspired to lead others just like she did. To me, Kendra is the best influence. Although I can’t become the “new Kendra” I sure hope I can be as great of a dancer and role model as she was.