“I was so fabulous.”
Taylor Dunn ran out on the football field, holding hands with the “big girls” and a bright smile beaming across her face. She danced her heart out, creating a once-in-a-lifetime memory of being fabulous with the Lakeland High School dance team.
Many young kids dream of being as cool as the “big kids” one day and look up to the local high school athletes.
At Lakeland, many athletes have demonstrated success in athletics and academics, representing positive role models for young athletes.
Lakeland’s dance team hosted a “Mini Hawks” dance camp on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The team conducted dance games, ran technique and tought the young dancers a routine that they performed at the home football game on Friday, Oct. 18.
This camp has been an annual tradition for the dance team.
“It is a fun opportunity for aspiring dancers to be active, learn a new skill, and have fun,” said Lakeland’s dance coach Laura Kelley, “It is also a great way for our team to get involved with giving back to the community.”
This camp is a great way for young athletes to engage with high school athletes and learn from them.
It is also a great experience for the high schoolers too as it is a chance for them to be in a leadership role and work with the younger athletes who look up to them.
“I hope that the mini hawks camp has given the kids the opportunity to discover their love for dancing and that they will continue to carry these first memories of dance throughout their lives,” Dancer Sarah Allen said.
It is Matt Neff’s hope that in the future, Lakeland athletes will be able to get more involved with younger community members.
“They look up to us,” Neff, activities director at Lakeland High School, said. “We probably need to do more outreach in our schools with our teams.”
Kids typically look up to high school athletes in the same sports that they hope to be a part of in their future. Collin Hasz, who plays football, wrestling, and baseball looks up to Jace Taylor who plays varsity football and baseball for Lakeland.
“He’s a great receiver,” Hasz said. “I was a receiver but now I play cornerback. I still think he is awesome and does a great job.”
Knowing that younger athletes are looking up to high schoolers can affect how high school athletes conduct themselves.
“It definitely makes me think twice about my actions and choices,” Taylor said. “It puts a sense of pressure on me to perform better.”
When high school athletes get involved with the community, they are expected represent their school well. Wearing a Lakeland jersey or uniform is a privilege, and comes with responsibility.
“It’s like a contract negotiation that you enter,” Neff said. “If you play on a team and wear the uniform, then you are expected to represent it in a way that shines a positive light on Lakeland.”
There are always eyes watching. Young kids especially watch high schoolers to learn how to conduct themselves. Today’s high schoolers were once looking up to high schoolers in the past. One day, the kids looking up to high schoolers will be the ones being looked up to.
Lakeland High School is home of the Hawks, and a nest of great role models.
“I could not be more proud of the work that our coaches and athletes are doing,” Neff said. “The overwhelming majority of LHS athletes and coaches are doing things the right way and have a positive impact on our school.”
Thanks to Lakeland’s athletic program and hard-working athletes, the “fabulous” Taylor Dunn and countless other kids in the community have a well-rounded group of athletes to look up to and learn from.
“I can’t wait to dance in high school.”
