Senior Kaylyn Flowers’s decision to attend dance school lead the already time consuming college application process to include a few more steps than that of her classmates.

Flowers has long held a passion for dance, as she has taken dance classes for 12 years. She first began when her mother signed her up for Irish dance as a child, and, out of curiosity, Flowers grew to explore other styles of dance around her.

“I was intrigued by other styles and decided to try them out,” Flowers said.

Currently, she practices dance for around 15 hours a week at her dance company.

“It’s really strict and rigorous training,” Flowers said. “It’s really tough, but I love it.”

Thus, Flowers’s passion for dancing lead her to apply to several colleges to further pursue the subject

The process of applying to participate in a college-level dance program included answering extra supplemental questions. She also had to submit a résumé, letters of recommendation from previous dance teachers, and one-to-two videos of her dancing.

“It’s a very long process,” Flowers said.

Flowers’s friend, senior Megan Kruthoff, who has danced in the same company as Flowers since they were 10, believes Flowers has changed quite a bit from her more rudimentary time as a young dancer.

“She’s definitely created her own style of movement,” Kruthoff said.

Flowers asked her tap teacher, Robin Bartholomew, and Juilliard graduate Anthony Lomuljo, who had previously come to her dance studio, to choreograph two different routines for her.

“He liked me and he liked my style, so he was able to work with me. And my tap teacher, she loves me, I’ve known her for a long time, so she would do that for me,” Flowers said.

According to Flowers, students with the best dance routines are invited to do live auditions. Flowers feels that the wait to see if she will be called back for a live audition is nerve racking, as she can’t wait to prove herself and show her true skillset.

“Videos really aren’t an accurate representation of your dancing. They make you look worse,” Flowers said.

Senior Myah Brooks has known Flowers for the past seven years. She feels inspired that Flowers is serious about her aspirations to continue dancing.

“She’s very dedicated. She’s a hard worker,” Brooks said. “She’s gotten really good in the past couple of years.”

Kruthoff is impressed with the work and dedication her longtime friend has been putting in.

“I’m excited to see where she goes in the dance world,” Kruthoff said.