"I'm Still Standing!"

Hello 2021!

After a crazy year, it’s time for a little update! As a wise person once told me, try to make lemonade out of sour lemons. So here we go…

On February 9, 2020, I started a job dancing for Princess Cruise Lines. I was prepared to spend 8 months dancing on the Regal Princess all over the British Isles. Perfect timing as my boyfriend, Patrick, was stationed in South Korea for all of 2020. Well, once COVID hit, I returned home to Wichita for what I thought would be a short visit. (Silly me!) I am very thankful I was rehearsing in California and not on the ship when the world shut down!

Since March, I have been fortunate enough to pursue many opportunities and adventures! I started grad school last summer at Wichita State University and pursuing a Masters in Arts Leadership and Management. I truly love being back in school! I am also a few weeks away from being a certified pilates teacher. I have fallen in love with pilates, and it has been a big factor in keeping me grounded over the past year.

In my spare time, I love paying it forward as a Sunday School teacher and singing weekly on the Risen Savior praise team. I am so happy to be back with my church family. I have been fortunate to teach dance at Kansas Dance Academy over the past year and choreograph for some of the best high schools and college students all over the Midwest. Additionally, I was a guest clinician for Kansas Dance Academy’s 35th Anniversary workshop this past fall. I am so proud of all my students and their attitudes and hard work during this difficult time.

To top it off, I got engaged to the love of my life!!! (In South Korea…that’s a whole story in itself.) Patrick is currently stationed at Fort Campbell flying Chinooks, and we bought our first home together in Tennessee. I can’t wait to move in and split time between Tennessee and New York after our wedding this fall.

Staying busy has been a big factor in keeping my sanity over the past year, and while I miss my NYC friends and life, I am so thankful for this unexpected time with my family and Wichita friends. I can’t wait till we can safely perform and dance again, but until then, I am doing my best to make each and every day count.

Stay safe and healthy!

XOXO,

Stevie