Mi’kiyah Stiles '21 Recruiting Profile

I remember the first time I walked on stage to dance a solo.  I was seven.  It was my third year dancing, but first year on the competitive dance team. Fear gripped me and I immediately felt knots in my stomach.  You know the feeling you get as a roller coaster is speeding downhill?  Yeah, that’s what I felt!  I stood waiting for the music to begin - heart pounding.  Then it started!  As I began to move my arms, lift my legs, leap in the air and releve’ into a turn, my body eased into the moment and fear subsided. I realized I had two minutes to give my best and impress the judges that sat before me. I lived to dance! I was confident.  Dance is a part of who I am.  As an athlete at heart, dance further fueled my competitive edge. I have been dancing now for over ten years and appreciate the lessons I’ve learned.  Dance has taught me patience, perseverance, cooperation, confidence, collaboration and teamwork.  These are qualities I carry with me whether I’m in the classroom, on the volleyball court or on the track field.  

Dance has been my safe haven.  For a season, it helped me to escape reality.  I was in 5^th grade when my parents separated. It was devastatingly painful for me and my siblings. I initially blamed myself.  I thought my dad didn’t love us anymore and I started to get depressed. My mom tried to maintain our sense of normalcy by keeping us engaged in our activities.  Dance was my savior. As a competitive dancer, I practiced six days a week.  I had enough time after school just to do homework and eat before going to practice.  I didn’t have the space to allow my mind to wander and wallow in self-pity. Instead, I learned strength and courage; characteristics I take pride in displaying when faced with adversity.

 Although I’m only seventeen, life experiences and circumstances have taught me lessons I carry with me today.  First, quitting is never an option. Regardless of what I’m faced with, I persevere.  Through faith, family and self-determination, I stay task oriented and focused on what lies before me. This is one of the reasons I perform well academically and athletically.  As a competitor at heart,  I enjoy the educational challenges of maintaining a full schedule of Advanced Placement and Honors courses while, at the same time, competing on the volleyball court and track field. I also still dance.

My passion for science, math and competitive athletics has fueled my desire to combine what I love into a career.  My dream is to become a doctor of Physical Therapy or an Orthopedic Physician.  I plan to pursue a degree in Biology and Sports Medicine before going to medical school. As a doctor of Physical Therapy or Orthopedic doctor, I would like to specialize in helping athletes with treatment and recovery from sports injuries. I ultimately want to create a community to help others, just as my village has helped me.