To learn ballet a person will need practice, patience and poise. Not only does ballet require time and energy, but it also requires determination. Junior Ava Wichser portrays all of these characteristics as she gets prepared for her big role as a sugar plum fairy in the upcoming play “The Nutcracker”.

Wichser dances at St. Croix ballet, a dance studio that sets very high standards for young dancers. “From this experience I have learned discipline and persistence. Teamwork is also a big part of dancing and I have learned many skills from working with others,” Wichser said.

Dancing year round, the willingness to stay motivated is still in Wichser. The studio puts on many shows other than “The Nutcracker” but as well as “Cinderella”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Coppelia”. “Our goal at St. Croix Ballet is to put on the best shows we can, and every dancer here makes that possible,” St Croix Ballet director, Susan Hovey said.

Wichser takes dance classes every day along with balancing school work and family. She is a role model to the young dancers at the studio and tries to keep positive when dance gets tough. “Ava has always shown positivity as a dancer and helps the younger students when they need it, and has always been a big role in our show,” Wichser’s dance teacher, Laura Daugherty said.

As Wichser gets prepared for her upcoming lead, the stress level and pressure on the dancer builds up. “From this experience I have learned discipline and persistence. Teamwork is also a big part of dancing and I have learned many skills from working with others. No matter how stressful it can get I know it will pay off in the end,” Wichser said.

As a young girl, Wichser never wanted to be anything else and used to watch “The Nutcracker” whenever she could. “I always have wanted to do ballet ever since I was little. I grew up watching dance videos and knew that I always wanted to do ballet since I saw all of the ballerinas dancing,” she said.

“The Nutcracker” has a tradition of bringing many people in to watch. Over the past two years, over half of the shows have been sold out. As the lead of a sugar plum fairy, Wichser never lets her nerves get to her. “The big role I have in the play has given me a chance to be a role model to the younger dancers, so I try to show them that being nervous is just a distraction. It also gives me the opportunity to show what I have worked hard for for over the past years and how hard I have been dancing,” Wichser said.

“The Nutcracker” promises to impress like it does every year. As Wichser takes on her big lead, she should stand out with her passion, and her hard work should pay off.