While transitioning into their next chapter of life, many student-athletes decide to hang up their cleats, skates, ballet-shoes, etc.; luckily however, that wasn’t the case for Winona State University Dance Team Captains Sammie Mayo and Avery Benda.
Dance has always been and always will be a part of the captain’s lives. Mayo, third-year, majoring in elementary education, began at the ripe age of two years old while Benda, second-year, double majoring in Secondary Mathematics Education and Mathematics, started dancing at five years old and began competing in competitions by 5th grade. Although their time dancing for Winona State is limited, both future educators plan on using their dance knowledge and leadership in the future as they plan on becoming dance coaches.
Before dancing collegiately, Mayo danced for both her local studio and high school in Dayton, Minnesota, amongst soccer and other extracurricular activities. Benda was involved in many school-related activities along with dancing for Unlimited Possibilities Dance Studio as she attended high school in Albert Lea, Minnesota. However, both future Warrior Captains knew their love for dance trumped everything else and shifted their focus primarily on dance alone.
“I truly believe dance teaches you so many important lessons while also building and fostering bonds like no other,” Benda furthermore explained. “Dance is my escape from the stresses of the world.”
After spending time dancing, here, in Winona, both Mayo and Benda knew they wanted to furthermore make an impact on their fellow Warriors, the choreography and the overall team. From their previous experience, many of the experienced Warrior dancers guided and took their first-year dancers under their wing. Mayo and Benda wanted to create the same experience for the girls whose shoes they had once been in.
“I wanted to try out for captain because my first two years on the team were amazing and I wanted to continue to make this a positive environment for all dancers to feel welcome,” Mayo stated. “Being on the team and having a close group of girls has been beneficial for me and for transitioning to a new place as a freshman in college. It provided a safe space and people that all share the same interests.”
Being extremely dedicated their team causes these student-athletes to have quite a busy schedule; however, it is totally worth the difficulty. Mayo and Benda have both learned the importance of time management in order to make time for early morning practice, classes, homework, sleep, finding time for friends and meeting new people. Outside of being a student-athlete, Benda is able to find time for what she loves: spending time outdoors, whether she is camping, hammocking, hiking or simply just getting a breath of fresh air. Mayo, on the hand, loves spending time wither her roommates and making a difference in the community helping at an afterschool program.
Mayo and Benda are able to spread their love for dance outside of the Winona State Dance Team since both captains are dance teachers. Along with teaching the foundational steps to dancing, they teach the younger dances to enjoy every special moment in dance, to give 100% effort and to be grateful for their opportunity to dance. Mayo and Bena are great role models to these younger girls and boys throughout the Winona community.
“Enjoy every moment you have and make the most of every performance, practice, joke, and memory made,” Benda Advises. “Being a part of a team is truly one of the greatest blessings, appreciate the laughs and connections you make along the way!”
These dedicated, supportive, and encouraging captains now plan to lead the Warriors, once again, to the National Dance Alliance (NDA) competition in Daytona, Florida where they dance alongside other dance teams from across the country. Last year, the completely student-led team placed 7th at nationals and plan on succeeding furthermore as they begin planning choreography for the upcoming tournament.
Interested in joining the Winona State Dance Team? Feel free to reach out to either of the captains. Mayo and Benda are hosting a prep clinic early spring and advise anyone interested to contact @winonastatedance on Instagram.
