Lindsey Barber is a senior at Park City High School. She has participated in the Park City Dance Program since 8th grade. She received a full-tuition scholarship for four years at the University of Utah. She plans to continue studying dance.
I have been dancing with Park City High School since 8th grade. This program has made my life so much better and has shaped my most memorable experiences throughout high school. Dancing with this program has been so much more than just another elective. It has allowed me to create amazing relationships, grow as a person, and grow as a dancer.
For me, dancing is what helps me show my emotions, and it gives me hope. Throughout my high school years, there have been so many events with so many emotions. Dancing is something that I always knew I could run to with all of my ups and downs. I moved to Park City five years ago from Hawaii. It was a hard transition and hard to make friends, but the dance community welcomed me.
Additionally, the people I danced with were also ones that helped me get through this high school chapter of my life. The friends that I made in the dance program were always there for me. Additionally, my dance instructor Mrs. Mott creates such a welcoming, supportive, safe community. She is always there for her dancers and students. Mrs. Mott is also someone that I look up to; she is a mentor and a friend. She helps us when we get hurt, she comforts us when we get upset, and she gives us advice. Honestly, I would consider Mrs. Mott like another mom to me. This dance program is what kept me going and what gave me motivation.
There was never a day that I didn’t want to dance and didn’t look forward to class. Of course, waking up early was always hard, but knowing that I get to go and dance with people I love made me excited to get up in the mornings. Dance also has helped me to learn how to get out of my comfort zone. I remember, when I first started dancing, I was always nervous about dancing around others, improv, or sharing my choreographic ideas. Now, improvising is one of my favorite ways to dance, performing is what I look forward to the most, and I even choreographed a piece for our concert. I also see others improving and growing all of the time. It’s incredible to see how happy and excited people can get, whether it's finally getting a perfect double turn or getting accepted into new dance programs for the future.
Dancing gives me a feeling that cannot be replaced by anything else. It allows us to connect with others without even saying a word, I do believe that it is a type of language. I am so thankful for all of the amazing memories and experiences I was able to have through dance. The dance program at PCHS has made me into a better person. It has challenged my dancing skills while allowing me to create amazing relationships. This dance program was truly a life-changing experience.