My Story

Alyssa Renard, 18
Movin On Up

As seniors we always get asked the common questions: What school are you going to? What do you want to do with your life? What are your goals? My answer is always a little bit different than everyone else’s. Most of my peers will be off to a four year university, saying goodbye to their parents, and starting their new independent lives. On the other hand my plan is to go to a community college while working toward my dream in becoming a professional dancer.
Every time I tell someone my plan, I always get the same response. Individuals tell me that I should really think about my options. But the truth is I have. I’ve thought about this long and hard, weighing my positive and negative aspects of my plan and the plan everyone else has for me. The way it came down to was, I know if I didn’t give my dream a fair shot, I would’ve always wondered what could have been. In all the things I want for myself in life, one of them is not regret.
I was starting to feel very discouraged when everyone was doubting my goals for the future, being a long shot. But then the fire starts burning under my feet, driving me to keep going. I have a great support system at home and at my second home, my dance studio. I know I’m going to get beaten up inside and out, and I’m going to deal with it using grace and strength. I’ve become the person I am today by using the lessons I’ve learned at home, but mostly the lifelong lessons I’ve learned while dancing. Perseverence, strength, fight, and drive will keep me going in everyday situations throughout my life. So the next time someone asks me what I’m doing in the future and their response is a negative one, I will brush it off and say,” I’ll buy you front row tickets when I make it big”, and leave with a smile, my self confidence booming.