Rowan McKinzie is many things, she’s a great friend, a hard worker, and an incredibly determined dancer. It’s admirable how she balances everything in her life and remains one of the bubbliest people I know. She’s never without a smile on her face and I felt honored to ask her some questions about her grit in regards to dance.
Q: What’s your name and what grade are you in?
A: My name is Rowan Mckinzie and I’m a Sophomore.
Q: How do you define success?
A: I define success as determination and work ethic.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and how has it shaped you?
A: Definitely that having fun is not supposed to be embarrassing and you only get one shot at life so make it your best, this piece of advice showed me you’re supposed to enjoy things and so I have been having fun with friends and in dance and not caring what others think.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I am most proud of my first place award for our Lakeland competition for my solo. This award proved to me that I am determined and that I am worthy of people’s time and effort.
Q: What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A: In dance I struggled a lot with skills and I felt behind and sometimes I still do, but I always put out my best and that’s all I can do.
Q: Who or what inspires you the most?
A: I think that the older dancers inspire me a lot because I see what I could become and the abilities they have.
Q: What are your future goals, and how are you working toward them?
A: In the future I would like to dance on a college dance team.
Q: Has there been a defining moment in your life that shaped who you are?
A: I think there have been many, but one thing that has shaped me is our first competition this year was a little rough but the part where I competed with my solo and the music shut off halfway through and I just had to keep going and it showed my perseverance and determination and I ended up winning the competition.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who looks up to you or wants to follow in your footsteps?
A: I would say to work as hard as possible even if you don’t continue with dance it doesn’t hurt to give 100% in everything you do.
Q: What’s a major lesson you’ve learned in life so far?
A: That enjoying life is way better than what anyone thinks. If someone is rude or mean, who cares. Just enjoy life.
