The Tritonian
Van Oss Leaves High School for Ballet Monday, April 02, 2012 By Anne Marie Mackenzie
McKenzie Van Oss, former Notre Dame Academy sophomore, recently decided to leave high school in pursuit of her ballet dreams. Van Oss, who began ballet at the Green Bay School of Dance when she was just three years old, has been accepted to the North Carolina School of the Arts where she will study her passion, ballet. “Ballet is an art, and as an artist, I love to help society forget about life's rough moments. I love that I can cheer people up, inspire someone, or make an impression on someone's life, just through the power of dance,” said Van Oss. Although the decision to leave NDA was not easy, Van Oss knew what she needed to do to succeed. “I knew to get to where I wanted to be, I needed to go to a good performing arts high school to be able to get into a company straight after high school. I have a lot to improve on in a short two years before I'm in the market to get a job,” said Van Oss. Before Van Oss will move to North Carolina, she had to transfer to Ashwaubenon High School because Ashwaubenon’s class schedule suited her ballet practice schedule better than NDA’s. “I miss my friends, teachers and the atmosphere. The atmosphere at NDA is so much safer, and I miss the prayers on the announcements. I loved being in a school where practically everyone has the same foundation and everyone wants to excel in school. It's a positive environment,” said Van Oss. Van Oss is extremely thankful for her time at NDA and appreciates all of the lessons she has learned. “NDA gave me values, a work ethic, and it helped me to incorporate my faith into everything I do, not just in the church. All my talent comes from God, and I should always dance for Him,” she said. Hopefully these values and work ethic, along with immense talent, will help Van Oss achieve all of her goals. “My goal in the future is to win a Prix de Lausanne medal (ballet competition in short) to get myself out there for ballet companies to see, and hopefully enter a prestigious ballet company by the time I'm 18 years old. Ballet dancers’ careers are short, so I have to start early,” she explained. “After I retire, I hope to teach on the company's faculty. I love to teach, even with lack of experience, and it will help me to keep dancing. I'm planning on going back to college after my career is in place because I feel learning will help me to stay sharp and not slack off.” Although this is an exciting time for Van Oss, it’s not always easy leaving home, especially at such a young age. “I think the hardest thing is leaving my parents behind. I don't get homesick easily, but I know it will be as hard on them as it is on me. Also, the distance is a big factor. It's so far away. It's not an easy drive for them to come and visit me,” said Van Oss. It might be tough, but for Van Oss, chasing her dream is what really counts. It takes hard work, but she is convinced that every dancer can reach her goals as well. “Waste no time! Every second counts. Always keep working and never get frustrated at yourself. It only takes away from improving. But never be satisfied, either,” said the dancer. “Don't be shy and don't be afraid to get yourself out there. Audition for summer intensives to improve and get to know what it's like in the real world. And whatever happens, keep dancing and love it! That's all that matters.” |