Center stage, Ainsley Waguespack waits impatiently for her cue to begin her routine, with the adrenaline rush that a lifetime of love for this sport brings her.

“I’ve been dancing for eight years,” Waguespack said. “A few years ago I decided that dancing was what I really wanted to do… so I decided to work harder to see how far I can go.”

Only a sophomore in high school, Ainsley spends at least 18 hours a week perfecting her art. Each year, she auditions for anywhere from three to eight different schools, to have the chance to train with unique programs for new opportunities.

“I was accepted to Joffrey Ballet School in New York to train there in 2013, I also trained at the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco in the summer of 2015,” she said. “This year I’ve been accepted to the American Ballet Theatre and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet.”

With hopes of travelling the world to showcase her craft, Ainsley is currently on the wait list for the Royal Ballet in England.

“I probably won’t get in but I’m still proud of myself knowing I got this far,” she said. “It’s a long road to be the best I can be, but I work as hard as I can, and I know it’ll all pay off someday.”

Gallery • 5 Photos

To contact this writer, e-mail [email protected]