The school is full of many impressive students who have impacted the school community with their academics, athletics and accomplishments. One of these students is senior McKinley McGee, who has impacted the school community with her incredible dance abilities and contributions as Vice President of the Black Student Union (BSU).
McGee has been dancing her whole life, starting at the age of two.
“My parents put me into dancing because I guess I always had a sense of rhythm when I was younger,” McGee said. “But the reason I really kept on dancing is because I loved how I was able to express myself without using my words.”
This love of dance continued throughout her life, and McGee began competing for her studio, Impact Dance Projects. McKinley commented on how competitive dance is challenging for many, citing her own struggle in finding a studio that she felt like she belonged in.
“Growing up doing competitive dance, I think the most challenging part of it for me was being able to find where I belong the most and find the studio that works best for me,” McGee said.
McGee emphasized her studio’s support, which has helped her develop her dance skills. She encouraged beginner dancers to try different studios to see which one is the best for them.
“You never know when you’ll find the place for you,” McGee said, “[I’ve] danced competitively at three different [studios], and I just switched to a new one my senior year. After I’ve done two competitions so far this season I [can] see that this is a place where people want me to be my best and they want me to grow.”
McGee has participated in six sports for the school, including, cheer, golf, gymnastics, track and flag football.
“I think just being active and always having something to do is something that is really a constant in my life,” McGee said. “I’m never sitting down. I’m always doing something.”
Despite trying all of these sports, dance has consistently been her favorite extracurricular and her main focus.
“It gives me the opportunity to be grateful for everything that I have,” McGee said. “Everybody can speak for the most part, everybody can walk around… but when you have the ability to dance, it really changes how you see things and … it just helps you feel more grounded and more at peace.”
Along with dance, McGee has contributed to the school academically and through her involvement in the Black Student Union since her sophomore year. She became the club’s Vice President this year and played a pivotal role in organizing the Black History Month Assembly.
“My role as the Vice President was to make sure that everything was settled backstage,” McGee stated. “There’s a lot of different quick costume changes and moving of different props that I had to facilitate during the assembly after my performance.”
The performance in question was a dance that McGee choreographed and performed for the whole school when they came to watch the assembly.
Photo to go here (if possible)
“I [wanted to step out of my] comfort zone,” McGee said. “It was my first assembly… [so] I thought I would do something big.”
The dance showcased McGee’s talent and skill as a seasoned and professional performer. After that, she also kept the rest of the assembly running smoothly and helped others who were performing or contributing.
McGee’s involvement in the Black Student Union has helped her make many connections at the school and has helped her come out of her shell more as a high schooler.
“It’s important for me because when I was a freshman coming into W&L, I didn’t have many friends…because I came from Gunston for middle school, so this was a big change, coming to a place where there weren’t as many people that looked like me,” McGee said. “Being a part of BSU gave me the opportunity to have leadership in a role where I can support younger students that look like me to come into a family rather than being secluded their freshman year.”
This club has helped McGee find a community of students who support her. Being in a leadership position in BSU has helped her give the same support and encouragement to other students.
After high school, McGee plans on staying in the state for college. While she is not exactly sure where she is going to school yet, she plans to study business and hopes to keep dancing while in college, saying that becoming a professional dancer would be her dream.
“I would love to be a background dancer. I would love to be a teacher, [or a] choreographer. [If I] could travel, [and] not have to work a nine to five, that would be perfect.” McGee said.
After four years at the school, McGee is ready to move on to the next chapter in her life. However, she said breaking out of her shell really helped her be more comfortable in high school, and she encourages incoming students to do the same.
“[My] advice… is to just get yourself out there as soon as you can,” McGee said. “If you start early and break out and go out of your comfort zone as soon as you can, you’ll be able to find more opportunities.”
