Leading with Humility

As the singular senior on the Village elite spirit dance team, AnnMarie Masters was a natural choice for team captain. However, it wasn't just her seniority that placed the talented athlete and artist at the front of the squad. Elite spirit Coach Tabitha Christy says that after three years in the program, AnnMarie's greatest leadership quality has been humility.

"Each year she bec[ame] a stronger and more experienced leader who always put her team's needs before her own. As a coach, it has been a huge honor for me to get to watch AnnMarie grow over the past three seasons."

Put another way, Coach Christy says that "AnnMarie's strongest characteristic is her compassion for others. She is very understanding of her teammates, she never judges or compares them to each other. She looks at each girl for who they are and encourages them to be better."

Through humble service, AnnMarie has found that her leadership is derived from those around her. "[A] leader is truly made up of the people they lead," AnnMarie says, "and the team reflects the leader, which has helped me push to become a better leader and person."

Not shying away from the role that her support system plays in her life, AnnMarie says "I could not do half of what I do as a dancer and [a] person without my family. [E]ven when I think I am disappointing my teammates, coach, and/or parents, they always have my back."

Disappointment, though, is not a word you'll hear used by AnnMarie's coach to describe her performance this season.

"Every time the team [took] the field, track, floor, or stage; AnnMarie's presence and impact [was] felt tremendously," Coach Christy says.

The judges agreed. AnnMarie has compiled an impressive list of accolades on and off the floor. She is an NDA All-American, a member of the National Honor Society, and was named 1st Team Academic All-State. Twice.

Though flattering, personal achievements were not on AnnMarie's mind when speaking about what made her senior season so special. 

"The highlight of this fall has definitely been watching the improvement and growth of my teammates each week and seeing them each bloom into the strong women I know they can be."

As AnnMarie leaves Village this spring, her future goals continue to be outward-facing. 

"Post graduation, I plan to attend a performing arts college and get out onto the Broadway stage or get to volunteer around the world teaching and sharing the joy of dance with others."

With a trophy case full of memories, it's the humble leadership of AnnMarie the Viking elite spirit team will miss the most.