Freshman Phoebe Ingram dances through the challenges of balancing competitive ballet, relationships with her friends and completing her school work on time.
She started dancing at three years old when her mom decided to enroll her in dance classes. She joined the Indiana Ballet Conservatory classes and has since danced there for 12 years.
“My mom originally decided to start me at a studio because I loved to perform and dance when I was young,” Ingram said. “I would always dance around the house, and she thought enrolling me in dance classes would be a good idea.”
Throughout her seasons of dancing, Ingram realized that she wanted to specialize in ballet.
“I realized I wanted to specialize in ballet right when I was first put in it,” Ingram said. “I found the classes to be so fun, and I was able to pick up on all the techniques and skills very quickly.”
One of Ingram’s close friends with whom she dances is Scarlet Ciano. She is a freshman at Zionsville. They started dancing together when they were seven years old.
Ciano and Ingram became fast friends while dancing in ballet classes together.
“We just started talking, and ever since, we have become good friends,” Ciano said.
While dancing, Ingram tries to be a motivating model to everyone around her during dance classes.
“Phoebe is a very motivating person,” Ciano said. ”She’s very encouraging but also fun while we are in class. I always look forward to dancing in class with her.”
Another one of her close friends is freshman Tessa Eynon. They met at Eastwood Middle School in sixth grade, though they didn’t become close until eighth grade.
“We met at Eastwood in Susie Sprinkles’s English class, but we didn’t become friends until the very start of Jennifer Forsee’s English class,” Eynon said. “We sat next to each other and instantly started talking and becoming friends.”
Even with dance and school, Ingram still makes time to hang out with her friends.
“Phoebe and I try to hang out whenever we can,” Eynon said. “Whenever we hang out, our favorite things to do are talk and eat. Our favorite places to eat are Texas Roadhouse or somewhere to get sushi.”
Balancing dance while completing school work and finding time to hang out with friends can be extremely difficult. Ingram works and makes time for everything.
“I try to see my friends as often as possible, but dance causes my schedule to be very cramped and busy,” Ingram said. “Finding and maintaining times where I can hang out with my friends is helpful, just to get my mind off dancing for a while.”
To fit in everything, Ingram leaves school early every day to attend dance classes.
“I’m pretty good about balancing school since I can leave early for dance,” Ingram said. “Sometimes I’ve had to cram in work to have time for school and dance.”
Ingram is not only a very talented dancer but also an exceptional student. She does not let her busy schedule prevent her from finishing her schoolwork and making time for her friends and family.
