Raider Of The Month: October

Breathing in a deep breath she starts her turn. Five… Six…Seven…Eight… She counts to prepare the dancers. Every pep-rally, game, dance is different, and they all have to be polished.

Her brown hair in a perfect bun and gold glitter on her right eye, dance team captain Peyton Tally puts a big performance smile on her face and walks her team onto the field.

“Being in leadership is an excellent opportunity because you get to reach out to girls who are new to high school,” she said. “I can always reach out to the freshmen and give them a place to belong.”

She loves how she’s able to show her passion to everyone by putting them in the moment when she dances.

But she doesn’t dance for herself. She does it for one who holds a place in her heart.

“I dance for God,” she said. “He’s given me this talent, and I try to use it to the best of my ability so that I can glorify Him.”

The key to getting the message of the dance across, Tally said, is facial expressions.

“Dancing is a way of art and when I think about the message I’m trying to portray, I’m not as nervous,” she said.

Knowing that she’s influencing other girls, Peyton tries to make all the right choices. She has learned to stay strong, especially since the girls on the team are watching her, she said.

“Being in a leadership position has impacted me because it has faced me with different challenges that have changed my character, but have helped me become a better person,” she said.

Football games are fun for the dancers, but there’s a lot of work that goes into making the performance perfect, Tally said. Lots of zero-hour rehearsals and technique practices later, the team is finally ready for the performance.

Peyton lives for the burst of adrenaline she gets after every performance, she said.

“After my solo performance at competition, I exited the stage and there’s a long hallway,” Tally said. “As I was walking down the hallway, I took the time to talk to God about everything. I prayed and thanked Him for giving me the amazing opportunity to dance and glorify Him.”

Not only is Peyton captain of the dance team, she also choreographs the dances for Show Choir.

“As long as I believe in myself,” she said, “I know I can do anything and that is something that truly matters.”