For people who don’t dance, it might seem like any other sport, but for Victoria Moyer it’s much more than that, it’s a form of art and is a way for her to express herself with her movements without using her words. Tori is a senior here at Pennridge High School and is a student athlete who dances at Adrienne Academy of Dance. She started dancing when she was 2 years old and has been dancing ever since.
The moment Tori stepped into the studio, dance would forever be a part of her life. Tori dances many different styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, pointe, and musical theater. Each of the different styles helps Tori grow as a dancer, and a performer. Not only does Tori compete and practice her dances during the week but also devotes her time teaching a dance class to a group of 10-12-year-olds. This position gives Tori the opportunity to be a leader and role model to other dancers in her studio who look up to her.
Throughout her 15 years of dancing, it hasn’t always been easy for her. The biggest challenge she had to overcome was in eighth grade when she dislocated her knee. This injury still affects her to this day, when she does challenging dances she has to wear a brace. While she dances, she has to be very careful with her movements because her knee could pop out at any point.
Even with the challenges Tori has faced, she has made numerous memories and has accomplished many things throughout her dancing career. One of her most memorable moments during her time dancing was winning first place in her first ever duet with her teammate as well as longtime friend Maura Boyle. Maura and Tori have been dancing together since they were 2 years old. Maura’s mom was the one who suggested to Tori’s mother that the girls do dance. That dance still means so much to the both of them. Winning that duet together still gives them pride and joy to this day. They look back on that memory so fondly of what they did together as a team. Tori’s biggest accomplishment while dancing was when she earned a special award for having the “biggest heart”, which not only reflects when her talent but also the kindness and positivity that she brings for her team.
Tori’s teammates and friends agree that her personality is just as impressive as her talent. Maura, who has danced with her since they were little, says Tori is the kind of person who “always checks up on her and motivates her when she’s feeling down, “which is something that Tori does to support her teammates. She is always checking in on them. She also admires the way Tori performs, describing her stage presence as “phenomenal” and saying that her energy “affects everyone around her and makes people want to be there, making Tori such a big asset to the team.” Even through injuries and tough practices, Maura says Tori continues to “push herself harder,” proving how determined she truly is. When asked what Tori does that motivates the team, she responds “she smiles all the time and that affects the way people are around her and it causes people to want to be there, and give it their all”.
McKaela White is one of Tori’s close friends and also has the same appreciation for who Tori is as a teammate. She describes Tori as “super kind” and someone who “always puts in the most amount of effort into everything she does,” whether it’s learning choreography, teaching younger dancers, or uplifting the people around her. What McKaela admires the most about Tori’s is “her heart, how kind she is and how good of a person she is to others.” Both girls say that Tori brings positivity to everything she does, and her presence makes not only the studio feel like a brighter place, but everywhere Tori goes she makes it brighter. Their words show that Tori isn’t just a talented dancer, she’s the type of person who inspires others by being her true authentic self.
Tori has proven that dance is not just a sport, it is a part of who she is. Her dance journey is made up of perseverance through an injury, patients when she teaches, as well as victories and memories along the way. It’s clear to me that her teammates admire who she is and the qualities she brings to dance. Her kindness and dedication will continue to shine in not just dancing but in everything she continues to do.
