Kaylee Russell

This last year has been very challenging for myself and others around me. While this year has had its hardships, it has also given me the opportunity to reflect on many aspects of my life. Something that has been very clear from the beginning is how much I depend on the relationships I have with others. As I began to think of all the people in my life, I began to think of all the ways they have helped shape me into the person I am today.

Over the last three years I have worked with a high school dance team in my hometown. Each year we welcome new young ladies to the team, and each year I fall more in love with teaching them. Band has always been a huge passion of mine, but I was always performing in them. My first year, I went into band camp with zero confidence in my teaching abilities. Over the last three years I could tell that I was getting more comfortable teaching, and I had more confidence in my work. After this year and the time spent reflecting, I come to realize that every girl I’ve ever had on my team made an impact on me in some way.

My series of images, Clarity, includes six of the dancers I have taught. I assigned each dancer a word or idea that they would emulate in their poses. Trust, persistence, balance, humility, patience, and confidence were the lessons they have taught me during my time with them. I used flour to help emphasize their movements. 

From this time of reflection, I have grown into a person who is more understanding of the value in myself and the relationships I have with others. Every person in my life, whether I knew it at the time or not, has helped to mold me into the person I am today. As I get ready to embark on a new journey here at Jacksonville State University getting my master’s in education, I am forever grateful for the lessons I have learned that will help guide me on this path.