For junior Taylor Ricketson, dance isn’t just a sport, it’s a passion. From the beginning of her dance journey at the age of three, to her competitive varsity debut, friends said Ricketson is defined by her hard work and dedication.
Friends also said Ricketson’s kindness and support for the people around her during tough times show how much she cares about the people around her.
“Taylor is one of my best friends. She has been there for me through everything. One of the times I’ll never forget is when we went through the loss of our close friend at the end of freshman year. It was such a difficult time, but Taylor was there for me every step of the way,” junior Abby Goddard said.
According to friend and junior Leah Brader, whether she is on the dance floor or hanging out with friends, Ricketson spreads a smile wherever she goes.
‘‘Taylor is one of those people who lights up a room,” Brader said “She is always the first to make a joke and make people smile. Her lighthearted personality makes her someone everyone wants to be around.”
Ricketson said dance has also helped her grow as a person. These friendships are one of the things Ricketson said she values most about being a dancer.
“Dance has been a part of my life since I was three years old,” Ricketson said. “It has helped me make great friends and is a big part of how I connect with people.”
Ricketson said she is inspired by her sister, who is a major role model in her dance career.
“My sister has always inspired me. Watching her over the years has made me want to work harder and improve my own skills. Now, she dances for the University of Memphis, and I look up to her even more for balancing dance and school,” Ricketson said.
Ricketson said dance has taught her valuable lessons throughout her life. These lessons have helped her persevere and reach her goals, such as making the varsity Golden Girls team.
“It has taught me the importance of hard work and not giving up. Even when things don’t go the way we want them to, dance has taught me to keep going and push myself,” Ricketson said.
Ricketson’s teammate, Brader, said Ricketson makes sure everyone stays positive.
“Taylor is an incredibly positive teammate. She sees the best in every situation and stays positive, even during hard times,” Brader said.
Brader said Ricketson not only works for the friendships and teammates in her life, but also the sport that means most to her.
“Over the summer, she worked really hard to improve her dance skills and make the varsity high school dance team, and all of her work eventually paid off,” Brader said.