VYPE Willis ISD September 2022

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a SWEETHE ARTS CAPTA I N HAS APPL I ED DANCE TE AM’ S L I FE LESSONS T H A T “TH I NG”

SOME HIGH SCHOOLERS JUST NEED THAT “THING” TO GET THEM ENGAGED. That “ thing” can change their perspective about everything. It can drive them to greatness. For Alyssa Platt , her “ thing” is the Willis Sweethear ts Drill Team. “Being a part of the Sweethearts has greatly increased my personal responsibility,” the senior captain laughed. “I hate to say this, but I’m a procrastinator. Like bad. It ’s just how I am. But being a part of something that is bigger than myself has changed who I am…for the better.” Platt has been in the Willis ISD dance program since the seventh grade. She has matured over the years through hard work , dedication and accountability — the pillars of the Sweethearts Dance Team. She has developed into a leader, culminating in her senior season as she was named the team’s Captain for 2022-23. “You just have to push yourself,” Platt said. “I found out over the years that I’m so much more capable of acomplising my goals than I thought I could be. All it took was for someone to tell me to do something. I took it from there. As a high school student , sometimes you just have to go for it and get out of your comfor t zone.” As her high school career wraps up in 2023, Platt has a plan. No procrastinating…

a plan.

T R I P L E S T E P What do you watch on Netflix? Outer Banks Where is your favorite vacation spot? Anywhere in the Caribbean What is your favorite local restaurant? Rana’s Mexican Grill

“I’m going to study marketing in college, and I will be opening my own business,” she said. “If not , I want to coach.” Pay it forward, Platt . Pay it forward.

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