Signing with a school is a defining moment for every student-athlete.
You've put years of hard work into your craft, and putting that signature on paper marks the beginning of a new chapter.
It's a day I'll never forget, especially because I was lucky enough to have the news station come out and do a story on me. All my friends and family came, and we just celebrated the big news together.
Where I'm from, the entire process was a big deal.
It took a lot of work, but I finally decided to go to Louisville.
It was particularly meaningful because the dance team wasn't a team everyone knew about back home.
It was just becoming more popular at the time.
It felt like we were all learning about the new world of college dance at the same time, and it was so cool to share that moment with everyone.
The path to becoming a Ladybird
My dance journey started a little later compared to others.
When I was younger, my parents actually first put me in T-ball.
Candidly, that didn't last very long.
I feel like the normal age to start off dancing is typically around three or four, but I didn't get into it until I turned six.
Growing up, my older sister danced at the studio I joined, too. She is 18 years older than me, so she danced with all my teachers.
The studio was called Miss Libby School of Dance.
Up until my senior year of high school, I spent most of my time there.
My first three years at Miss Libby's were mostly recreational classes, and then I joined the company, which is where you perform around the community.
After those first three years, I fell in love with dance and knew it was what I wanted to continue doing. I begged my parents to let me try out for the competition team, the same one my sister grew up dancing on.
My mom was hesitant about it at first because she knew it took up so much of my sister's time, and I don't know if they were ready to fully make that commitment yet.
But in my fourth year at the studio, I finally tried out and made the competition team.
And that's when my true commitment to the sport really kicked off.
The impact of college
My college career so far has been nothing short of amazing.
I mean, I'm on the 20-time national championship Louisville Ladybirds dance team — what else could one ask for?
It's an incredible honor to be part of such an accomplished program.
I grew up in studio dance, so being on the dance team is like experiencing something new all over again for the first time.
It feels like four years aren't enough.
I'm in my senior year already, and I just always think about how quickly time has flown.
And although I haven't won a national championship with my team yet, that doesn't take away from how amazing this experience has been.
Just going to nationals, for example, and seeing the final product that we put out on the floor is rewarding in itself.
We are constantly working hard on our craft, day in and day out. Every season is a new challenge, and I am truthfully so excited to take on Daytona this year.
The last time our program won was before COVID.
It finally feels like we might be bringing home something that is ours.
Chasing my dreams
After this season, I'll be applying to the master's program at the University of Louisville and will be staying with the Ladybirds for one more year.
After that, I'm not 100% sure what I want to do, but I know I want to continue dancing.
I've been looking into going into the pros.
I have visited the Kansas City Chiefs as well as the Indianapolis Colts, and I plan on continuing to visit other professional teams.
Whether it's dancing in the pros for a sports team after college or dancing as a backup for an artist on tour, I'm not exactly sure which path I plan to go yet.
But time will tell.
You never know what's going to happen.
Once I'm ready to put my dancing shoes up, I can't wait to share my experiences and my lessons with the next generation of dancers that I'll hopefully get to lead and work with throughout my life.
I want to be the person who tells everyone to go out and chase their dreams.
I'm so glad that I decided to try something new when I was just a little girl.
It has opened so many doors for me, and I'm just grateful for all the opportunities I've had ever since.
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📷 Ashauna Leverette and Louisville Athletics
