Every spring, Embolden welcomes a new group of upcoming seniors to our senior model team. It’s so much fun getting to know representatives from area schools, and to watch as friendships form throughout the year while we work together. It’s always a little bittersweet to pass the baton to the next group of models, even though we love them all! It’s just such a privilege to see personalities shine through, and then to watch as these beauties grow wings and head out into the world to make their mark.
We recently talked with Class of 2014 senior model, Alisha Wickering, who is currently living in New York City to pursue her dream of dancing on Broadway and as a Radio City Rockette. Alisha is a graduate of Zeeland West High School, and began dancing when she was six years old. Before moving to New York, she trained in classical ballet at Turning Pointe School of Dance and has performed with Hearts in Step and the Zeeland High dance program.
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Alisha was enrolled at Wayne State University as a dance major when she first visited New York and decided to apply to a Broadway program. Here’s what she had to say about taking the leap of faith that landed her where she is today:
“One day I got an email from [Wayne State] saying it was the last day to cancel my housing, and without knowing if I made the program in New York or not, I canceled it. I thought, ‘Okay God, if you want this to happen it will.’ It was a huge step of faith for me, but I knew God had bigger plans for me than I could even imagine, so I just had to trust him. A few days later I got my acceptance letter to Broadway Dance Center in New York. By the time I got the letter, I only had two weeks to pack up my life and move to New York City. It was exciting and scary. I didn’t really have time to think, I just knew I was in God’s hands and everything would work out. Now, a year and a half later, here I am!”
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Today, Alisha keeps herself very busy working four(!) jobs. She is a part time nanny on the Upper East Side, a dance teacher at “Next Step Broadway,” an employee of Radio City where she assists the Rockettes’ Christmas workshop classes on the weekends, and a model and dancer with Tryon Entertainment.
When we asked Alisha who and what has motivated her career and steps thus far, she credited the following:
“A lot of people have inspired me on this journey. My family back home makes me want to work hard and make them proud. My parents have been my biggest cheerleaders—in fact, they were the ones who encouraged me not to go to college and to dive into dance in New York. They keep me pushing when times get hard.
“Mrs. Clyde [has probably been] the biggest inspiration. She was the person I went to when making the decision not to go to school. She always believed in me, even when I didn’t. She challenged me to be a better dancer and to step out of my comfort zone. I always miss her encouraging words and I just want to make her proud.
“Also, the sheer amount of talent here is inspiring. You see kids your age in Broadway shows and you think, ‘Man, I want that.’ Every class, every person you dance next to is an inspiration. Everyone here wants it, and everyone is hungry to succeed. It’s an amazing place to be.”
Alisha is an inspiration in her own right. She is running after her goals with ambitious determination, and we love that we can share a bit of her story here as a part of the Embolden family. She ends her thoughts on these final notes, which we hope will motivate others to go after their dreams, too:
“[Don’t] limit yourself. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I realized how closed minded [I’d been]. I thought I was in a certain box as a dancer and as a person. This whole experience has challenged me not to settle and to always keep working.
“Never be afraid to try anything and everything. If you fail, you still grow as a person. And never let the opinions of other slow you down. You’re on your own journey, and it’s not for others to understand.
“Personally, this entire journey has been a huge lesson in faith for me. Even by moving here, I have put 100% of my trust in God and I have given Him everything I have—my dancing, my finances, my future. I have grown so much in my faith by moving here.
“I’ve also learned how to be okay with being alone. This city can get pretty lonely, even with the crazy amount of people here. If you’re having a bad day, you have to pick yourself up and keep going.
“You can’t rely on others for your happiness—it has to come from doing what you love.’”
We’re so grateful for you and your story, Alisha, and we look forward to hearing more about your dreams coming to fruition in the days ahead! Break a leg!
