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Pettigrew thankful for N.Y. opportunity
For the past seven years, Smith-Cotton sophomore Emma Pettigrew has put her heart and soul into every performance. Dance has allowed her to be herself and show who she is. Pettigrew has hopes to further her dancing career and is going to make an appearance in next year's Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
It has always been one of her goals to dance at the parade, but she never knew how to get involved until she discussed the possibility with S-C High Voltage Coach Julie Willadsen. The two started looking into the application process. A big part of the process required Pettigrew to send in a video of her dancing. Willadsen knew Pettigrew would do well in this section and was confident in her entry. Once the entire application was filled out and the video was made, the two sent everything in and it was time for them to wait for a response.
Pettigrew had a feeling she wouldn’t make the cut, but she refused to give up.
“It was a while before I got an answer and I was incredibly nervous,” said Pettigrew.
In late March, she finally received an answer back. The response left Pettigrew in tears. She was excited that her application was accepted and is ecstatic to have the opportunity to dance in the parade.
Pettigrew has already started preparing and with the help of both Willadsen and her dance director at Studio A Dance Conservatory, Anna Crumley Nelson, who said she is confident Pettigrew will be ready in time for the parade.
Nelson has known Pettigrew since she started dancing at Studio A and has been able to see Pettigrew mature both as a dancer and a person. When Pettigrew first started dancing, Nelson said, she lacked confidence and struggled greatly to go outside her comfort zone. Now, she is very open and has gained that confidence needed in order to better her dance skills.
“She understands that to get better at your craft you must push yourself and your limits,” said Nelson
It is agreed by both Nelson and Willadsen that Pettigrew’s love and desire to dance is clear. She always tries to live with the mindset of never giving up and wants to achieve what she sets her mind and heart on.
“Emma is a passionate, kind, and excellent student. She was born to dance and her beginning starts now,” said Nelson.