Last time dancing on the field. Last time competing with the team. Last Spring Show. And last time putting on the golden uniform. 

Stars captain Sarah Blessing has been on the team since her freshman year, and her uniform has changed  from the standard blue, to two years as lieutenant captain in white and finally captain in gold her senior year. 

“As a freshman, I was quiet and shy, but the sophomores that year brought us into their group and that’s when I first felt like I had found a place I belonged,” Blessing said. “Their kindness stuck with me and over the last year I’ve tried to make sure Stars feels like a place people can feel comfortable and seen.”

The current lieutenant captain, Peyton Collie says Blessing is a kind, dedicated and humble leader.

“She’s created an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and safe coming to practice every day,” Collie said. “I feel like it’s impacted the team in great ways, because it makes everyone want to work hard and excited to come to practice.”

Along with Collie’s perspective, Stars director Bethany Tomlin says Blessing is hardworking, mature and highly respected.

“She’s been so incredible to work with and such a leader on the team,” Tomlin said. “She leads with integrity, and she also sets an example for the team to follow, and is truly one of the hardest working high schoolers I know.”

Throughout her years on the team, Blessing has learned not only how to curl her hair, but also how to communicate with team members, coaches and parents while polishing formations and practicing timing to get ready for dances competitions. 

“Growing up in dance, I had never thought much about teaching,” Blessing said. “My coaches had done it everyday, but when I finally got into the position to do it myself I realized there is a lot more strategy that goes into it than I thought.”

As she closes this chapter of her life, Blessing shares wisdom from her experiences.

“My biggest takeaway from Stars is that true leadership isn’t about standing at the point of the triangle or wearing a gold uniform, it’s about lifting up others,” Blessing said. “It means putting the team’s needs before your own, recognizing people’s potential, sometimes before they see it in themselves and creating an environment where they feel supported enough to grow and thrive. As Captain, success isn’t defined by my individual performance, but by the impact I leave on my team.”

As said by Tomlin and Collie, Blessings hardwork has truly made an impact on the team.

“[After] dedicating four years to this team, I’ve become a harder worker, more dedicated, disciplined and persevering,” Blessing said. “I learned to not give up on the hard days because I knew there were good days to come, and through my leadership positions I’ve learned to lead by example and hold myself to the same standard I hold everyone on the team to.

Overall, Stars has made me a better person, leader and dancer, and I would not be who I am without it.”