Aaron Johnson – General Assignment Reporter
For some students at Southern Connecticut State University, trying to handle classes along with a busy work schedule can be hard enough. But for junior Kelsey Latham that struggle takes on new life as she commutes from Middletown to New Haven and back in order to attend Irish step dancing practice. Latham is an internationally ranked step dancer.
“I’ve been dancing since I was like six. So I think its been 14 or 15 years,” said Latham. “I saw a show when I was really little and I really liked it and wanted to try it.”
Latham, a journalism major with a minor in marketing, has been competing at the beginning stages since she was eight and at the championship level since the age of 12. Her love and passion for dancing has resulted in her choosing to commute to Southern in order to make her practices each day.
“The most difficult part can be the amount of time I have to put into it. You have to practice everyday. It’s a lot of commitment, ” said Latham. But that commitment has truly paid off, Latham said that seeing the results of all the hard work she has put in over the year is evident of that fact.
“It means a lot to be internationally ranked because I worked my entire life. Some people don’t even make it to the qualification round and its something I really want so that’s why I put all the work in. Just being able to see the results after all the hard work and reaching the goals you set.”
Being able to raise to such heights in the world of step dancing does bring its stress and nerves however. Latham said that she does get nervous before a performance but that the key is to keep your nerves in order to preform to the best of your abilities.
“Yeah definitely. Especially during a big major. So nervous. You have to keep the nerves down before you get on stage because that could make or break you,” said Latham.
During the years of competition, Latham said her biggest inspiration has been her competition teacher, Colleen Griffith.
“My competition teacher Colleen Griffith has been amazing. She runs the competitive program at my school. She’s just like a head coach,” said Latham.
Latham said she can recall to when she attended her first step practice when she was just a beginner and the memory of that is something that she cherishes.
“It was something I was trying. I remember my first class I didn’t want my mom to leave me and I remember it was always something I would look forward to and I always wanted to go,” said Latham.
Despite all the struggling and commitment, Latham admitted that the best feeling is after a performance is over and she has done well.
“If it goes well I’m happy and relieved that its over,” said Latham.
Over the years, Latham said that the commitment she has made to Irish step dancing has been well
worth it and it will continue to be apart of her life even after she is done competing.
“I just have to say it’s my life. I can’t see myself without it; I don’t know what I would do without Irish step dancing,” said Latham. “I’m definitely gonna get my teaching degree and it’s just something that I’m always gonna be doing.”
