Spotlight on Students is a feature that showcases WYWLA students 

and cool experiences they've had and/or recognitions received.

This month we highlight Senior Iman Nazir and Freshmen Addison Kulawiak!

You recently were awarded the Morehead scholarship, can you tell us about where you were awarded this scholarship and for what major? 

The Morehead-Cain scholarship is a program at UNC Chapel Hill. I plan to study on a pre-law track, majoring in public policy.

What led you to choose this college?

My decision to attend UNC depended heavily on my acceptance as a Morehead-Cain scholar. I had previous plans of going to college out of state, but Morehead-Cain opened up great opportunities for me here in North Carolina. Despite my prior plans of going out of state, I have really fallen in love with UNC. It is a beautiful campus and has excellent academics, sports teams, and students. On top of all the opportunities within the University itself, Morehead-Cain gives me the opportunity to study abroad every summer that I am enrolled at UNC, with all costs covered by the program. This summer I am planning to spend a month backpacking in Alaska alongside other scholars!

What has been the most difficult part of your academic journey? 

The most difficult part of my academic journey was sophomore year. The classes I was taking were very rigorous, and it was the hardest I had ever needed to work to maintain my grades. This year instilled discipline in me that I still use today (Thanks ,Mrs. Watkins!). 

What has been the most impactful part of your academic experience?

The most impactful experience during my academic journey was the accreditation crisis at SAU. Although everything worked out in the end, the process had a large impact on our school. After actively working towards a solution, I have grown closer to my peers and administration. 

How has WYWLA shaped you as a young woman? 

WYWLA has helped me become a confident and outspoken young woman. The leadership principles that WYWLA has embedded in my mind are shown in my personality and actions. One of the biggest developers of my confidence was my involvement in the Mock Trial team at our school. Aside from further fueling my interest in law, Mock Trial has taught me how to use my voice confidently. I hold special gratitude for Ms. Thrasher and our attorney coach, Kelli, for unconditionally supporting our team.

What did the application process look like for the scholarship? 

The Morehead-Cain application process is extensive and rigorous. First, I applied to be nominated for the scholarship by WYWLA. Although you can self-nominate, it is much harder to get far in the process without a school nomination. After being nominated, I completed a very long and very detailed initial application (My completed application was 16 pages long!). This led me to being selected as a semi-finalist. The semi-finalist interviews were held online and asynchronously. The platform it was recorded on asked me a question, gave me a few seconds to think, then started recording my 2-minute response. This part was so nerve-racking because I could not re-record or watch my videos! After the semi-finalist interviews, I was selected as a finalist and was invited to attend a 5-day “Finalist Selection Experience” held on UNC’s campus. I made lots of friends, ate good food, and got to stay in the fancy Carolina Inn! During the weekend, the selection process proceeded in three parts. First, I had to participate in a supervised group activity where I worked with four other finalists to solve a problem. Next, I had an in-person panel interview. This part was like most standard interviews, with the three panelists asking me questions about myself and my initial application. Finally, I had to take a written assessment where I was given an hour to write an essay based on the prompt I received. Just three days after getting back from the Finalist Selection Experience, I was notified that I had gotten the scholarship!

Did you apply to other scholarships? If so, were you awarded any others?

I applied to a few other small scholarships, but I will hear back from them later in the spring. 

What other colleges did you apply to?

Aside from UNC Chapel Hill, I applied to NC State, Duke, Boston University, NYU, Princeton, Columbia, and UNC Charlotte. So far, I have heard back from and gotten accepted to NCSU, BU, and UNCC. 

What is your biggest academic success tip?

My biggest tip would be to have a good support system at school. It can be hard to stay motivated and disciplined while being a student, but having friends to turn to for support or just to have fun with can help make difficult times more bearable. School can be about more than just studying! I am so grateful for the friends I have made at WYWLA and I depend on them every day. 

What kind of tips would you give to students looking to achieve similar things to you?

For me, it has been very important to be an all-rounded student. Having a good balance between academics, extracurriculars, and sports drives my success. The biggest tip I always give people is to have a few activities that you are really involved in and passionate about. Most colleges are not just looking for students who have good grades or that are a part of a million clubs. They are looking for students that show commitment and who take initiative to be leaders in their activities. This shows them how you can (and will) positively impact the school community if accepted. 

How and when did you get involved in dancing?

My parents enrolled me in a dance class at age 2 and I have continued dancing since.

Why do you dance?

I dance because I enjoy the art form and the freedom it allows me to have. I can express myself while also developing skills to get better. My favorite aspect of dance is that it allows me to relieve stress. I also enjoy the community and team aspects of dance. 

Who do you dance for? Have you switched who you dance for?

I have danced for CC&CO for 3 years now, but before that, I was at various small studios depending on where I was living. 

In your dancing competitions, how are the dances themselves scored?

Dances are scored based on technical execution, choreographic execution, performance quality, and overall impression. Some places differ in percentage amounts, with most doing 30% for technique and choreography and 20% for performance and overall impression. 

What has been your favorite dance? 

My favorite styles of dance are contemporary and ballet, but I love all of them.

What is the hardest part about learning a new dance? What about the sport overall? 

The hardest part about learning a new dance is cleaning and perfecting the choreography. Even though absorbing the choreography can be difficult, fine-tuning small details take time and a lot of patience. Dance overall can be very competitive and often harsh when getting to higher levels. Dancers are often compared to others and can struggle with not feeling good enough. 

Can you walk us through a dancing competition? How many do you have a year?

I have at least 4 a year but, this year I am doing 5 competitions and nationals this year. A typical dance competition is 3 days long: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, solos and younger group dances compete. There are also some optional classes you can take in the evening. On Saturday, classes start early in the morning and go until the late afternoon. After classes, the competition begins and will end at around midnight. On Sunday, classes start early again and go until the late afternoon. After classes on Sunday, there is a closing show in which scholarships and high-scoring performances are presented. There are breaks, but it is usually a long and busy weekend.

What time is practice for you and how often do you practice? How much time do you spend practicing a week? Does it vary at all? 

I typically practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Monday is 4:30-8:30, Tuesday is 6:30-9:30, Wednesday is 5-8:30, and Saturday is 11-1. This varies quite often due to rehearsals, which we can have during the week or the weekend. With no rehearsals, I dance 12.5 hours a week. With rehearsals, it can easily be over 18 hours. 

Have you learned any leadership skills through dancing? 

Yes, I have learned how to receive and give feedback to others. This helps me grow as a dancer and take the initiative to give positive and constructive criticism to others. 

What/who motivates you to dance? 

Growth and the strive to be better motivates me the most to dance. Amazing dancers I am surrounded by and those I support online are also motivation or inspiration to become a better dancer. 

What would you say to anyone looking to get involved in dancing? 

Dance is a beautiful art form and a physically demanding sport. Anyone can enjoy dance and the ability to express yourself. Try one class and see how you feel, also explore different styles and techniques. If you are looking to get into competitive or higher-level dance, be prepared for long hours of practice and the community you will build with other dancers.