Portfolio 2018-19

Interests: Personal Growth

Who am I now?

1. Describe a hobby or interest, either in school or outside of school, that you have spent time
The hobby I chose is dancing which is my favorite thing to do. I have been enrolled in dance
classes outside of school for eight years now and this has been my first year in in school dance
class. I am in three ballet classes, a jazz class, a hip-hop class, a tap class and a musical theater
class.

2. What do you like about this particular hobby or interest?

This year I have spent a lot of time inside and outside of school practicing dance. I really enjoy
dancing because it allows me to express emotions when I can’t find the words to express them. I
have been fortunate enough to take so many different genres of dance which has allowed me to
grow and develop skills I wouldn’t have otherwise.

3. What kinds of skills have you developed or practiced via this hobby/interest?
I’ve learned a lot about dance of course like the history of different genres, how to do some
choreograph, and a lot about muscles and how they work. I have also learned a lot of life skills
like showing responsibility when I’m unable to show up; I have to learn the choreography in my
own time. I’ve learned how to manage school and other extracurriculars on top of dance.

4. How has this hobby or interest challenged you to grow?

This hobby has helped me develop social skills over the years. I have had to move around to
different classes and be comfortable enough with myself to express myself in front of them.
Dance is one of the biggest things to help me grow throughout the years.

5. If someone else told you they were interested in pursuing the same hobby or interest, what
advice would you give them?
I would tell them that it is a great idea as long as they aren’t already busy or stressed with other
things like school or other extracurriculars. I would suggest to enroll in a ballet class and maybe
a jazz class in order to test out how they like it. I would also tell them the most important thing is
to
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show up on time and ready to work because it isn’t easy but the more you practice the better you
get.

6. What connections can you make between this hobby/interest and the life you want to have for
yourself in the future? In other words, do you see this hobby or interest continuing? Is it related
to any career interests? Ten years from now, do you think you’ll still be engaged in this hobby or
interest? Explain.
In the future I want to be a psychologist and at first glance you probably wouldn’t see a
connection between dance and psychology. I however see the skills I’ve developed through
taking dance classes like my communication, time management, responsibility, and teamwork
skills. I will definitely take dance classes in college. I think I will be dancing for the rest of my
life because of how much it has helped me through. When I have a bad day I can always go to
dance and completely forget my problems and express myself and each genre helps in a different
way.