January 26, 2018
Cypress Ranch senior Bailey Stark is a student by day. By night, she spends hours training with the World Class Dancin’ Bluebonnets.
Since she was child, Stark has dedicated her life to dance. As a senior member of the Bluebonnets, Stark devotes most of her time outside of school to traveling, practicing, and preforming around the nation with her team.
“I don’t see it as an obligation,” Stark says. “I just loving doing it. It really helps me when I’m having bad day. I dance because it’s my passion.”
Stark spends twenty-to-thirty hours, every week, at the studio – rehearsing routines and maintaining her technique. Throughout her years as a dancer, Stark has become a master of time management.
“I don’t really get a lot of sleep,” Stark says. “The best thing I’ve done for myself is work on my time management. I always have my backpack with me so I can get my homework done on time, whether that’s in the early hours of the morning or on a plane to L.A.”
A few of Stark’s major influences are the owner of the Bluebonnets, Pam Reich (who Bailey refers to as “Miss Pam”).
“Miss Pam is the sweetest lady,” Stark says. “She is part of the reason why I joined Bluebonnets.”
After placing second at the Dance Worlds competition in Florida, the Bluebonnets found themselves in a bit of a funk. It was Bluebonnets Director/Coach, Angela Kohn (“Miss Angela”), who helped the team rally.
“Miss Angela is an amazing choreographer and always pushes us past our limits,” Stark says. “We were all pretty bummed out after placing second at Worlds, but she helped us come back and made us even better.”
Coming up just short of gold wasn’t enough to take away Stark’s enjoyment of Dance Worlds. With teams from over twenty different nations traveling to Florida to compete, Dance Worlds is a chance for different groups to share routine and culture.
“The biggest difference between my team and the teams from abroad were the costumes,” Stark says. “I believe it was Germany who came out in this all-gold uniform, and it just blew everyone away.”
Being a student Cypress Ranch has also had an impact on Stark. She attributes much of her growth, both in and outside of dance, to the school and its staff.
“All of the teachers here are so invested in their students,” Stark says. “I’ve always felt like my teachers have my best interests at heart, both in and outside of the classroom.”
Stark’s dedication, talent and persistence have afforded her several unique opportunities – one of which being an apprenticeship with the Los Angeles-based group, West Coast Elite. As an apprentice, Stark is able to help other dancers by demonstrating pieces of choreography through demos.
In July, Stark will audition for World Famous Kilgore College Rangerettes.
“Right now, I’m just working on my high-kicks and flexibility,” Stark says.
Bailey has competed and earned numerous state and national titles as a soloist. She was most recently crowned Senior Solo Champion on December 2-3, 2017 at Encore Championships at the George R. Brown. Scholastically, Bailey is a member of National Honor Society, Math NHS, Spanish NHS, H.O.S.A., Collide Bible Study Club, Senior Women, and Key Club. She is the former Miss Teen Katy and NAM (National American Miss) Miss Texas earning top honors with the Miss Texas Organization as the Overall Talent Winner. At NAM Nationals 2016-17, Bailey was crowned the National Talent Champion. Between these two talent titles, Bailey has earned over $4500 in college scholarships.
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