Carlie Schofield's Big Step onto the Cougarettes Dance Team

As a freshman on the Newnan Cougars Dance Team, Carlie Schofield has continuously challenged herself to be the dancer and person she knows she can be.

When Carlie was just three years old, her mom signed her up for ballet and tap, not realizing it would be something she'd excel at so well.

"My mom used to say that I could dance before I could walk, because even as an infant, I would clap and move and nod my head to the beat of any song playing on the radio," Schofield said. " I probably drove my mom crazy

dancing through the grocery store aisles as a kid, but I just danced everywhere I went."

While Schofield has been dancing since she was young, it was when she entered high school that she wanted to take it more seriously, as she decided to take a leap of faith and try out for Newnan's dance team in hopes of dancing at the collegiate level after graduation.

"I think dancing at the college level would be exciting. I hope to go to UGA, and I can see myself as either a Georgette or a Dance Dawg," Schofield said. "The competition is fierce, but I am putting in the work."

And while this is Schofield's first season on the dance team, it is Newnan High School's fourth year of having a competitive dance team. The Courgarettes, as they are known, perform sideline dances at football games and basketball games, in addition to performing pom routines that are Schofield's favorite.

Throughout her four years in high school, Schofield hopes to build the program and make it stronger so that when she does graduate, the team has everything they need to succeed.

"I hope to help build our program over the next few years so that after I graduate, the Cougarettes have not only the essentials like uniforms, mirrors, and an updated locker room, but also the legacy of a reputation as a talented team of dancers with a strong work ethic," Schofield said. "I would love to see the Cougarettes become a team that regularly places in the top 3 at State and will one day win it all."

With her determination to build the program, Schofield emphasizes that while making the program elite is important, the team wouldn't be anywhere without their coaches and those who support the program.

"I think it's important to recognize our coaches and parents for all they do for our team. Our coaches spend countless hours planning and working to help us meet our goals," she said. "Our parents spend thousands of dollars each year supporting our passion, and on top of that, they volunteer all year long, organizing fundraisers and special events for our team. We couldn't do it without them."

The Cougarettes host many events throughout the season, fundraising and encouraging the community to support dance and the team as a whole. These events not only help fundraise but also help build the team bond.

"Our team bond is strong. Dance is a year-round sport, so we practice and compete together for so many months that we become very close," she said. "We encourage and support each other all the time.

On top of the team's bond, Schofield notes that one of her favorite memories is building that support system they all share, adding that they all have fun being with each other.

"One moment with my team that stands out as memorable for me is our fall photo shoot from this year," she said. "We dressed up, had our photos done, and had a dinner party afterwards that gave us a fun evening to bond."

Though dancing isn't just all fun and games for Schofield. It's been an integral part of building her character and her confidence. Training and preparing each dance has helped her in more ways than one.

"Dance has become such a deep part of me and has shaped me into a more confident person," she said. "Performing in front of hundreds of people can at first be scary, but after experiencing years of performances, I know that my training and preparation are what I rely on, and then I feel confident and ready to perform. It has also made me more confident in public speaking and presenting projects in the classroom."

While it has helped her build her confidence in the classroom and she finds joy in what she does, she has had to work immensely hard trying to balance everything on her plate. From classes to practice, her main challenge is working hard to get everything done.

"The most challenging part of being a dancer at the high school level is balancing the hours of practice and studio classes with the AP, Gifted, and Advanced course load I take, participation in clubs, and other extracurricular activities. Managing my time wisely is essential," Schofield said.

And though her dancing career is still very fresh at her young age, Schofield hopes to inspire the next generation of dancers by being herself and telling them that if they want to pursue it seriously, they should.

"The advice I would give to younger dancers is to take as many studio classes as you have time for and can afford, and pick a studio that is known for its rigor and teaching proper technique, not one that just wants everyone to have fun," Schofield said.

As she continues to compete and work hard for her dreams, she plans to enjoy where she's at now and focus on one thing at a time, adding that she enjoys seeing how much of an impact she has on her community.

"My favorite part of performing for Newnan High is that I get to do what I love most for my school and community," she said. "I like hearing how much everyone enjoys our performances, and that feels rewarding to me."