At 3-years-old, sophomore Jayme Rash started taking dance class at Melissa’s School of Dance. After being in the class for a few years one of her friends decided to quit so she quit with her. However, while watching the recital she missed that year, Rash said she started to cry.

“I just realized I wouldn’t be in the class anymore, and it made me really sad. I guess I just saw how much I missed,” Rash said.

Rash rejoined the class as soon as she got the chance and has loved it ever since. She was on the dance team all through middle school and is on the varsity team now. She said she spends practically all of her spare time dancing.

“My favorite part is performing because everyone is watching you,” Rash said. “Everyone just gets so impressed.”

When in season, the dance team meets every morning at 6:30 and after school Thursdays and Fridays as well as Saturdays to practice. Rash said she is dedicated and doesn’t mind the constant rehearsals. She also said her favorite dance routine was the jazz dance performed by the varsity team when they won the state title.

“It was kind of like we were taking back our state title and everyone was just like ‘whoa’,” Rash said. “It just felt awesome.”

Even as a kid, Rash loved to perform. She said her favorite thing about taking dance class when she was younger was the big recitals at the end of the year. She loved the opportunity to get up on stage with her friends and dance in front of everyone.

“It’s the best feeling ever. You’re doing something you love out there and everyone is watching you. I get this big adrenaline rush and everything is so exciting,” Rash said.

Rash has been performing for roughly 14 years, and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.

“I’ve been doing it all my life and now that I’m on varsity, it is my life,” Rash said. “It’s a passion. I guess without it I just don’t know what I would be doing. I’d just be lost.”