Where did you grow up?
Exira, Iowa
Schools attended?
Exira High School
Iowa State University
Who is in your family?
Husband, Matthew
Daughter, Gwendalyn (13)
2 Furbabies (1 dog, 1 cat)
Favorite hobby outside of teaching/coaching?
Watching Marvel movies,
How did you get into the sport? When did you start playing?
I started dancing when I was 3 and fell in love right away. I knew in high school that I wanted to teach and continue to be involved in dance in any way possible as long as I could. I had a great dance team coach when I was in high school and I wanted to be able to provide that experience for other young dancers.
Favorite thing about coaching?
Watching the dancers grow as a team and celebrate together. It’s so rewarding to see them come together as a group and support each other in such a positive way.
Favorite memory from coaching at DCG?
Placing 3rd in Pom at the State Championships this season. We have never placed in Pom in the history of DCG, and we have never placed that high in any category at DCG. It is a huge accomplishment. The girls worked really hard this year, and they really worked hard together this year. This is my 5th season with DCG and this is the closest team I have had, and this is the best they have ever done. It is really great to see how coming together as a team helps what they put out on the floor when performing.
Most rewarding part of being a teacher/coach at DCG?
Again, watching them grow as a team and celebrate their accomplishments together. Seeing them work together and make the effort to really help each other and be a team and make sacrifices for the team and for each other. And they are doing it in practice and outside of practice too, it’s really amazing.
Advice to a young dancer?
Be ready to work hard and be ready to do it for the team, because this is a team sport and a team sport takes everyone. You have to be ready to make sacrifices and also be your true self. We work hard together, and we are goofy together, we cry on each other’s shoulders, we support each other in practice and outside, that’s what makes a team great.