Junior Emmeh Russell gets the opportunity to juggle five days of school work and being the captain of the Falconettes.

Freshmen year, Russell had her heart set on playing volleyball. Her negative experience on the team made her “lose all love for it.” She did however try out again her sophomore year, and was “somewhat relieved” when she found out she hadn’t made the team.

Next, she tried for another sport she was familiar with: cheer leading. She wasn’t overly excited to try out as there was tension and negative vibes when she participated in the sport in middle school, but never-the-less, she pushed herself to try. Again, she fell short as she “lacked the skill that sets most cheerleaders out of the rest, tumbling.”

“I left a bit upset and discouraged having failed the two sports I put most of my life into,” Russell said.

Although her confidence had been crushed, that she was going to push herself into trying something new. Russell has danced at a studio for 12 years, studying ballet and tap. She was obviously stepping out of her comfort zone when she decided to try out for a group that dances are mostly forms of jazz and hip-hop.

Russell made the team, and was ecstatic when she found out. She danced with the group who was under captain Emily Alesia.

As there were no up-coming seniors to take over the captain position on the team for the new school year, Russell was awarded the position for her hard work and dedication to the club. The captain position is usually taken up by an upcoming senior.

As the captain of the Falconettes, Russell is responsible for learning dances early and being able to teach the rest of the team, and help them learn the moves in time for their performances.

Russell also decides -with the help of her teammates, of course- what they are supposed to wear to their performances. Previously, their attire consisted of white, high-top converse, black leggings, and their individual Falconettes jerseys.

“We are retiring the hi-top converse and socks and going for low top sequin dance shoes,” Russell said. She also said the team decided “to go for something a little more dance teamish… for basketball,” but they plan on keeping the leggings and falconettes jerseys for football.

Sophomore Chloe Rogers expressed her opinion on the attire. “I love the uniform changes… I really feel that our dresses show the school that we are just as serious as any other team.”

Rogers also expressed her excitement towards Russell’s new leadership role on the team. “She has great ideas for our dances as well as our overall performances for the school.”