ADTC: What is your True Color Personality Style?

Jessalyn W: Blue! (But Gold was a close second) I absolutely agree, I try my best to be the kindest and most caring version of myself, even though life, stress, and difficult situations sometimes get in the way. I think the world would be a better place if more people practiced kindness (cliche, right?) and wish more people were willing to go above and beyond to show others that they care. I definitely tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and am quick to tell people about what I’m going through or feeling, hopefully to help them if they’re going through a similar situation or will in the future.

ADTC: Who is your Idol?

Jessalyn W: Every counselor I have had at ADTC has inspired, but especially Ellen, Chloe, Rachel, and Megan. These four have guided me through my toughest times at camp as well as helping out with kind words and advice during the “off-season”. These four are accomplished students and dancers, and people every camper can look up to. They are wise, loved by their friends, and some of the funniest, kindest, unique people I have ever met. I have such a different relationship with each one of them, so I always know who to turn to when I need advice, a laugh, some extra kindness, or reassurance that I’m heading the right way in life.

ADTC: Why do you love to dance?

Jessalyn W: As typical as this sounds, it’s the best way for me to let go and feel my emotions. If I’m having a difficult night, I turn up the music and improv in my room. If I’m feeling stuck in life, I work on new tricks and improving the basics since there is no better sense of accomplishment than finally getting a move you didn’t think you could. Honestly, dance is the only thing I’ve ever done, so I don’t have much to compare it to. But I know that I want to keep doing it for as long as I can, in some capacity. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

ADTC: What goals are you working on right now (in both dance & life)?

Jessalyn W: Since I just graduated from high school, I guess my biggest life goal is surviving my first year of college! Not sure what success looks like in that instance, but I just want to enjoy my time there and feel like I’m becoming a better person. (As well as having a successful three weeks at camp as a first-year JIC.) As a dancer, I want to improve my flexibility, master a quad pirouette, get better at choreography, and add new skills to my repertoire. My big goal for the next four years is to become an NAIA All-American dancer!

ADTC: Tell us about a difficult situation in your life and how you got through it. What did you learn?

Jessalyn W: I’m going to sound like such a teenager when I say this, but definitely my first real break-up. Sure, I’ve had my heart broken by boys and friends in the past, but the moment your first real relationship ends, you kind of lose your footing for a while. The hardest part was losing the sense of value you automatically gain from being in a relationship, as well as learning how to forget the memories and move forward in life. I started spending more time simply doing things to make myself happier and telling myself (and other girls) that it is okay to be single! You are no less valuable or worthy just because you don’t have a boyfriend, as much as your friends or social media may tell you otherwise. I also became closer to a lot of new friends and made memories I wouldn’t have if I were still in a relationship. I use that experience to help all the younger girls on my dance team who have had their hearts broken to remind them of their worth and that life goes on!

ADTC: What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done? What did you learn?

Jessalyn W: My junior year of high school, I enrolled in community college! With a handful of students from my high school, I started commuting a half-hour into the city every day to take college classes to earn my Associate’s degree. This meant leaving behind my comfort zone and friends at my high school and becoming more independent. It definitely forced me to grow up fast but I wouldn’t trade the lessons I learned there for the world. Last year, I became an officer for my college’s honors society which was a big commitment and a lot of hard work, but from that experience, I met my best friends and went on free trips to conventions in Orlando and various places in Illinois. By believing in myself and taking that leap, I gained knowledge, confidence, and a lot of memories!

ADTC: What is the your favorite ADTC memory & why?

Jessalyn W: I don’t even know how to pick just one! One time at the Illinois camp, a group of girls and I were in a dorm room telling stories and came up with the imaginary creature, Punswa. I, somehow, was chosen to portray the character so I put on crazy makeup, the funkiest clothes I could find, and wore a towel on my head. I wore the same thing the next day for Wacky Wednesday and definitely confused and creeped out some of the counselors and other campers. Punswa became a camp legend that returned every year for a Wacky Wednesday appearance! A more recent memory was hanging out with the counselors Friday night after the show eating pizza, telling stories, and just being goofy. That night, some campers were dealing with some complicated conflict and in helping them solve it and comforting them, I learned a lot about what it means to be a counselor, positive role model, and caretaker. I became a lot closer with the counselors that night and will never forget what a crazy, scary time it was.