Lexi was a Varsity Ballroom Coach for Provo High School during Fall 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
My internship experience this semester has been coaching the varsity ballroom team at Provo High School. Finding an internship where I could incorporate my expertise in dance and human development has been such a fulfilling experience for me.
As the varsity team coach, I was tasked with choreographing/casting show routines for competitions, leading rehearsals 3-5 times a week, ordering costumes, creating cross-training workouts for the team, and chaperoning competitions and retreats. This semester I choreographed 4 original ballroom pieces for the team’s competitions and concerts. "
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
An unexpected way I learned to work as an instrument in the Lord’s hands was building respect for the human body. I showed them how incredible their bodies are and led them through strength training and flexibility routines to take care of their bodies. After every late night rehearsal, I would tell them to drink lots of water, eat lots of food, and go to bed. “Normalizing” taking care of my own mortal tabernacle has been a powerful way I am able to drive away negative thoughts about my body. Building these habits in young hearts and minds in a body-focused extracurricular is a way I am trying to contribute to building up the kingdom and individuals. Investing in their health has grown my love for them and for the opportunity God has given me to work with them.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
I have loved this internship. By nature of my contract, I will be working with them through next June, but I am seriously considering making this a long-term gig. I love working with high schoolers (more than I thought I would), teaching in the studio setting, and being a ballroom director. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned here. I have been very satisfied with my time here at Provo High.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
I am so lucky to have had an internship working with the rising generation. High schoolers are at such a critical point in their lives for figuring out the kind of person they want to be. For me, the arts have been an excellent outlet for self-expression and building self-confidence. I worked hard to build a team culture that is a safe place to land for students looking for direction, as well as a space for them to push themselves to become something great. I believe these outcomes are why the Lord receives song and dance as a prayer unto Him. I feel so much joy when I dance because of this and tried my best to help my students share in that joy.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Absolutely. It feels like a real job but there is still plenty of scaffolding and support. I have been able to gain more independence in my work flow and authority in my decision-making, which are skills I was hoping to develop when I started this internship. Teaching especially has to be learned on the job (theories and readings can only get you so far), so having an opportunity to practice my classroom management, philosophy of teaching, and pedagogical strategies has been a valuable experience.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
I’m especially grateful for my supervisor who has become an excellent mentor to me in my teaching and future career plans. Thank you, Colin!
