FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS
Dancing doll returns home for next step in life
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Ashley Rice

Dancing is at the heart of just about everything Ashley Rice does or ever has done.

She says she doesn't even remember starting to dance, just that she always has. Ashley's mom, Stephanie, put her in her first dance class at age two. Rice says once she was actually old enough to make a decision as to whether to continue or not, there was not second guessing. Dance was a part of her life and probably always will be.

Growing up in Whitehouse, attending WISD schools since the first grade, she always remembers watching the First Ladies drill team and dreaming of the day she would get the chance to be a part of that.

She got her chance alright. Those long nights of dance class and hours of practice paid off. Looking back now, Rice treasurers those years spent as a WHS First Lady.

The success and confidence she gained in high school gave Rice the determination to take the next big step and that was to audition to be a part of the internationally famous Apache Belles of Tyler Junior College. Another rung on the ladder was mastered.

Photo/Suzanne Loudamy Dance instructor Ashley Rice works with students at Cassie's School of Dance. Rice also teaches dance at Tyler Junior College and is a part-time student at UT-Tyler.

With a life centered on dance the course of study she chose to pursue was a no-brainer. Rice majored in dance and kinesiology. After TJC, Rice went on to Sam Houston State University to continue her studies.

During this time, Rice looked on up that ladder of life a little further and sought out another dream. She auditioned for the Houston Rocket Power Dancers. The work was hard and the competition fierce. Unfortunately, this step was not as solid. But her determination did not falter.

As many do, plans changed and Rice headed back to Whitehouse.

With that change came some excellent opportunities for Rice. Not only is she continuing her studies at the University of Texas at Tyler, part time though it might be, she is teaching dance at TJC and at Cassie's Whitehouse School of Dance and holding down an office job as well. Her classes at TJC include hip hop, jazz and tap, and she teaches hip hop dance to all ages at Cassie's. She also assists with Cassie's competition classes.

"The classes I teach at TJC are through their Dance Academy," Rice said. "The classes are for TJC students as well as adults and children outside the college. It's like a regular studio within the college system."

Rice will dance in the TJC production of The Nutcracker on Nov. 31, Dec. 1-2. She will be a part of the "Snow" and also dance as the lead angel in the annual dance production.

Not that she has much more time in the day, but Rice also works for Leigh and Tara Bernholtz at Air Glacier Systems, Inc. as a personal secretary.

"I love the time I spend with the girls in dance the most," Rice said. "I enjoy being able to teach them what I've learned over the years. I love watching how excited they are to master a step and learn a dance sequence."

"I want to have a studio of my own some day," Rice said. "And I want to be able to offer a class for girls who maybe are less fortunate, who maybe can't even afford to pay for classes. I want them to be able to experience dance and get away from their worries and enjoy the pleasure that dance can bring."

Rice has deep roots in the community of Whitehouse is very pleased to be a part of continuing to give back to the place that has given to her for so many years. She was very honored to have served as a Lady in Waiting in the 2005 YesterYear Celebration. She is also a very devoted member of Shattered Dreams project team that coordinates and executes this powerful program for the students, parents and community of Whitehouse High School.

"Shattered Dreams is really important to me," Rice said. "I've lost too many friends, seen too many lives destroyed and I know the pain of loss. I want to continue to do anything I possibly can to help students make good choices and set goals for themselves."

Rice has added another goal to her life as well. Her future plans include working on public speaking to help get the message out to young people about the choices they have before them and how everything they do affects the rest of their lives.

This twinkle-eyed little blonde may have ballet on the brain, but she has a lot of love in her heart; a lot of love to share on the dance floor and lot of love to share with her community.