Early mornings and relentless preparation have defined Aubrey Bailey’s senior year as a leader on the McAlester High School dance team. “We practice before school every morning! Sometimes we start as early as 6:30!” she said. That discipline has built not only stamina but also a championship mindset, something Bailey and her teammates take pride in.

Her commitment to growth is also personal. “A goal I have set for myself [is] to be the best teammate and leader I could be!” Bailey shared. As a senior, she and her classmates take on extra responsibilities. “I, along with the other senior are in charge of planning game days!” she explained.

That leadership has blossomed thanks to a tight-knit team culture. “This year, we all truly have a great bond and genuinely respect and want the best for each other,” Bailey said. “We all have the same dream and [are] on the same path of getting to that dream.”

That dream is ambitious but clear. “One of our goals this year is to place first at DTU. We’re going to achieve this because we come to practice every day with a positive mindset and ready to work,” Bailey said. She knows what it takes to make that happen: “Lots and lots of cardio as well as being in the right mindset!”

When Bailey steps on the floor, she knows what to look for. “I look for synchronization!” she said, emphasizing the teamwork that sets great performances apart.

Her career already includes standout moments, from a Pom State Championship and Hip Hop State Championship to hearing her team’s name announced among the nation’s best. “Hearing our team’s name get called in the top 4 at NDA,” Bailey recalled, was unforgettable.

Beyond trophies, Bailey wants to leave a deeper mark. “I want people to remember me for being the person who spoke for others when they couldn’t!” she said.

Bailey’s future is just as bright as her present. “I plan to attend the Oklahoma Christian University to study Bible and digital marketing,” she said, adding that faith and purpose guide her steps as much as dance ever has.