BY MURRAY GLEFFE
CORRESPONDENT
Name: Ava Brandt
Parents: Jon and Kathleen Brandt
Activity: Dance
Twitter: @brandt_ava
Ava started ballet at 3 years old and has been on the dance team at Ashwaubenon High School all four years.
She lists going to Lollapalooza this past August as one of her favorite events ever attended.
After high school is completed, she wants to go into a nursing program in college.
What’s it like to be a leader on the dance team at Ashwaubenon? “It’s an honor. I’ve been on this team and seen three other senior classes go through their final year on the team. I’ve looked up to every single one of them and to now be a role model for the younger girls is inspiring. I love this team and I’m excited to keep up our reputation and hopefully have another successful and fun season.”
What is your most memorable moment? “Definitely, when we won regionals this past year. We had been losing all season and this was where it really counted. When they announced our name, it was the most joyous and adrenaline-rushed moment I’ve ever felt. If you ask the team, most of us would say that winning regionals was better than winning state.”
If you could be somebody for a day, who would you be? “I would want to be Sara Mearns. She’s a principal ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet and I’ve always wondered what that life is really like.”
Do you have a nickname or something your teammates call you? “Just about everyone calls me ‘Av,’ including coach Rodney.”
What would your dream job be once you graduate? “I would love to be a labor and delivery nurse because I think it’s super interesting. If I didn’t specialize in labor and delivery, I would either be a pediatric or NICU nurse.”
Hobbies? “My family loves to ski and we try to go a few times a winter. We’ve been to Acadia and Yellowstone National Parks. Since I grew up camping, I love to go hiking. I love being able to be in nature and just enjoy everything that is around me.”
What is your favorite type of music? “I will listen to just about anything depending on my mood and the season, but some of my favorite bands/singers are The Lumineers, BØRNS, Tyler the Creator and Dan & Shay.”
What is your favorite thing to do on your phone? “You can usually find me on Instagram and Twitter, but if I have more time, I go on YouTube.”
What three words describe you? “Determined, kind, loyal.”
What is your favorite trip ever taken? “My favorite trip was the one I took this past summer to Germany with GAPP here at the high school. I got to stay with a host family and travel around Europe for a whole month.”
What is the one song you like to perform to? “I don’t have one specific song, but I like to dance to anything sassy or upbeat because that is the most fun.”
What is your favorite dance move in competition? “I love to turn and I do a lot of them in our routines, but it is stressful as well.”
What is your desired location to go as a dance individual? “I would love to take some classes in Minnesota because all dancers from Minnesota are freakishly good for some reason.”
What is your favorite outfit or uniform to perform in? “I love dancing in our pom costumes this year because they are so pretty, but I’m more excited to dance in our new kick uniforms because they are so comfortable.”
Favorites
Food: Chocolate
Subject: Science
Color: Baby blue
TV show: “The Office”
Athlete: Aly Raisman
Board game: Monopoly
Candy: Swedish Fish
Ice cream: Double Fudge Moose Tracks or a mud pie from Zesty’s
Holiday: Fourth of July
Season: Summer