Morgan Highcock AC’25

 Dancing on the University of Kentucky Dance Team has been a dream come true! I seriously could pinch myself every day and still not believe this is my life. Game days are some of my favorite memories with the team, and the excitement starts long before we even step onto the field! Getting game-day ready takes me around two hours, from doing my hair and makeup to putting on my uniform and making sure everything is perfect before heading to Kroger Field. Once we arrive at the stadium, it is time for content hour, which is one of my favorite parts of the day! This is when the team gets to go onto the field to take pictures, film our iconic game-day TikToks, and capture all the fun moments together before the craziness of the day begins. We have to be in the locker room and completely ready to go four hours before kickoff, so there is definitely a lot that goes on behind the scenes before the game even starts! From there, we head onto the field to practice our quarter routines a few times so we feel confident and prepared before performing in front of thousands of fans.After practice, we head back to the locker room for any last-minute touch-ups, making sure our hair, makeup, and uniforms are game-ready before it is time for Catwalk. Catwalk is always such an exciting part of game day! We join the cheer team to do cheers, hype up the fans, and get everyone excited for the game. One of my favorite things about Catwalk is getting to see our friends and family who come out to support us, but even more special is seeing the little girls who look up to us. Being able to wave to them, say hi, give them high fives, and see their faces light up is such a rewarding feeling. It reminds me that what we do goes beyond dancing on the sidelines. We have the opportunity to inspire younger girls, share our love for dance, and hopefully encourage them to chase their own dreams one day. Knowing that we can make someone's game day a little more special, even through something as simple as a wave or a high five, is something I will never take for granted. After Catwalk, we get to spend some time at our dance team tailgate. We are so lucky to have the best parents who go above and beyond to provide us with the most amazing tailgate and make sure we are taken care of throughout the day. It is such a fun time to relax, eat, laugh, and spend time together before it is finally time for GAMETIME! Before we walk out onto the field, our entire team gathers in a prayer circle. This is one of the most meaningful moments of the day because it gives us a chance to come together, reflect, and thank the Lord for the opportunity to do what we love. No matter how many games I get to experience, I am always overwhelmed with gratitude and get immediate chills when I step onto that turf. Being able to dance at the University of Kentucky and represent something bigger than myself is one of the best experiences. Once the game begins, we are constantly on our feet, smiling, dancing, cheering, and having the absolute best time! Throughout the game, we perform sidelines, which we call ditties, lead cheers, perform our quarter routine, and, of course, dance to our wonderful fight song. There is so much energy in the stadium, and getting to be part of the atmosphere and help bring that excitement to the fans is such a rewarding experience. Even when game days are long and exhausting, the second we step onto the field, all the early preparation and hard work become worth it. There is nothing like looking around and realizing you get to do something you have dreamed about for so long alongside some of your favorite people. Once the game is over, we head back into the locker room and circle up as a team one last time before being dismissed for the day. Every game day looks a little different, but each one leaves me with memories I will cherish long after my time at UK. Getting to dance alongside my sorority sisters has been one of the biggest blessings of my college experience. There is something so special about being able to share two of the things I love most: dance and ADPi. The dance team has become like one big family, and having that same feeling of love, support, and belonging within my sorority has made my experience at UK even more meaningful. Before I joined the dance team, I knew a senior who was also an ADPi, and watching her navigate both experiences was so inspiring. I got to see firsthand the friendships and memories she made through dance, as well as the incredible sisterhood she found through ADPi. At first, I was nervous about balancing both commitments and wondered if I would have enough time to give each one my all. Looking back, I am so grateful I took the chance because both have shaped me in ways I never expected. ADPi has taught me that sisterhood extends far beyond our chapter. It is found in the girls cheering you on, celebrating your accomplishments, encouraging you through challenges, and showing up for you in every season of life. I have found that sisterhood on the dance floor, on the sidelines, and in the friendships that make my college experience so special. Being an ADPi has reminded me that I never have to choose between the things I love because the right people will always encourage me to chase my dreams. I am so thankful to represent the University of Kentucky alongside my dance team sisters and to have an ADPi sisterhood that supports me every step of the way.

Harper J