By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Alora Schneider, a senior at Notre Dame Academy, is a member of the dance team.
The daughter of Mike and Michelle Schneider, she’s been dancing all four years at Notre Dame.
“I also considered running cross country because I did that in junior high, but my heart is with dancing – it makes me happy,” Schneider, who describes herself as driven, optimistic, balanced and cooperative, said. “I started dancing when I was 5. Cross country also conflicted with dance.”
Schneider also had a love of basketball.
“It was tough for me to decide with basketball as well,” she said. “If I could have done both, I would have.”
Schneider said dancing is “extremely aerobic.”
“Some people tell me dance isn’t a sport,” she laughed. “You have to hit both of your arms, feet and legs exactly where they’re supposed to be and look happy while doing it. There are about 300-400 distinct moves during a routine.”
Schneider said she often makes jokes about people not thinking dance is a sport.
“It’s as physical as any other sport, if not more,” she said. “At the same time, it’s an expression of feeling, emotion and an art form. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Schneider’s most memorable moment occurred during her sophomore year at state.
“We were waiting for our name to get called, and we didn’t end up getting called,” she said. “On the bus ride home, everyone was silent for 30 minutes, but then we started hugging each other and thanking the seniors. We were proud of what we accomplished.”
Her most embarrassing moment occurred her freshman year at Bay Port.
“I fell during a routine,” Schneider said. “I did my best to play it off. The next Monday when we got to look at the judge’s comments, one of them wrote, ‘To the little dancer who fell in the back, great recovery.’ It was embarrassing to have that read in front of the whole team.”
Schneider’s No. 1 college choice is Cornell University, an Ivy League school in Ithaca, N.Y.
“I plan to major in chemical engineering,” she said. “I’ve been accepted into the five schools I’ve applied to. I’d like to go into petroleum engineering or renewable energy. If I go into petroleum engineering, I could see myself out west or in Texas. I for sure want to get out and see the rest of the country and the world.”
Schneider said she thinks she’ll be remembered by teachers at Notre Dame for keeping the mood light in class and encouraging others to do their best.
She’s also a lover of the game show ‘Jeopardy!’ and trivia.
“I watch Jeopardy! almost every night with my family,” Schneider said.
Schneider’s brother, PJ, is also a graduate of Notre Dame and currently attends the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Her dad, who also served time in the military, grew up in Chicago but moved to Princeton for the last two years of high school.
Schneider’s mom grew up in Keshena and attended Menominee Indian High School.
Her dad played football, basketball and baseball, while her mom was more into academics.
Editor’s notes: To nominate another senior for the Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight, contact Sports Editor Rich Palzewic @[email protected].
To read the Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight on Green Bay Preble’s Brigitta Neverman, CLICK HERE.