A weekend-long tryout with Central Michigan’s dance team paid huge dividends for Clarkston’s Meredith Clark. The 18-year-old graduate will advance to the collegiate level after being a four-year member of the Clarkston High School pom pon team.
‘I couldn’t imagine not doing that because that was a big part of my high school experience. I’m really excited to be able to do that at college too,? Clark said.
Clark went into the tryout with an open mind, but saw her competitive spirit awaken as her time went on with the team.
‘If I don’t make it, it’s not a big deal,? she thought.
‘We started practicing and I got really competitive.
‘I had to make it.?
Clark was deciding between CMU and Michigan State University.
‘I really liked that (dance) program and the school,? Clark said.
Her mind was set on going to Central even before she had earned a spot on the dance team’s roster.
‘I went to a couple of basketball games and I had talked to the coach, so I was really hoping I would be able to dance their after I had decided to go there.?
‘I really like their style of dance. It’s different than Clarkston’s.
‘Central is really jazzy, it’s more like the studio dance I did. I really like that part of it.?
Meredith will be in Mount Pleasant before many of her classmates because the Chippewa dance team has summer practice. At tryouts, Clark has already learned two dances and the school’s fight song, giving her a bit of preparation for the fall football season. Meredith will continue the Clark family’s legacy at CMU, her parents Max and Harriet were also Chippewas.
‘My parents didn’t care if I went to Central or to State, but both of them had really good experiences at Central, so they’re comfortable with me going there.
As a Chippewa, Clark will also be a recipient of the Leadership Advancement Scholarship. CHS LEAD Advisor Aaron Dobson encouraged Clark to apply for the scholarship. The communications and leadership skills as well as the life lessons learned under Dobson’s guidance should be helpful for the freshman.
?(CHS LEAD) teaches you how to work with people who don’t (necessarily) work like you do and to accept people’s differences,? Clark said.
At CMU, Clark is hoping to go into broadcasting. ‘I like public speaking and it would be cool to be on the news,? Clark said.
Clark is also looking into elementary education and hopes to keep up her 3.61 GPA. Clark has been dancing since age 3. During high school, Clark managed to dedicate 15 hours a week to her sport. In her free time, Clark enjoys playing the piano.
‘It’s relaxing at times, but also stressful at times,? she said.