Baylor senior just wants to dance

Between juggling schoolwork, being a part of a sorority and pursuing a career in professional dance, Baylor University senior Harley Clark has her hands full as she completes her last year in Waco, Texas.

Clark is a fourth-generation student at Baylor, following in her mother's and grandmother’s footsteps. However, Clark didn’t always want to attend Baylor; her original choice was to go to TCU before she fell in love with the campus after attending a mother-led tour.

                  “[My mom] kind of showed me around. I didn’t do the golf cart [tour],” Clark said. “She showed me everything herself and showed me the buildings she used to take class in. And when I toured here, it just felt homey to me. I felt like every other school I looked at, I felt like I was just around a bunch of buildings, but [at Baylor] it just felt super welcoming, and the community is so amazing and genuine.”

                  In her time at Baylor, Clark has invested three years in being a part of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Being involved in her sorority, Clark said that she has been pushed to be more social and get out of her comfort zone to meet new people.

                  “[Kappa Kappa Gamma] really gets you connected with the community, and there's so much to do within a sorority other than just social events,” Clark said. “We have Bible studies and things like that that we get to be part of. So, I think that's really been great for me, on top of just literally introducing me to people who are probably going to be bridesmaids in my wedding one day. Like some of my very best friends. So, it's definitely been a blessing to be part of that, for sure.”

                  Usually, members of a sorority take on leadership roles within the organization to help with events and recruitment. In contrast, Clark focused on her dream of being a part of a professional dance team.

                  Growing up with a mom who is a drill team director and a dance coach, Clark grew up in the dance studio from the age of 2 until she graduated high school. Clark said that even with trying other sports such as soccer, she just wanted to dance.

                  “My freshman year, I was on the JV team and was an officer. And then, when I got on varsity, my mom was my coach at that point,” Clark said. “It’s hard with your mom as your coach because people assume that if you try out for something and get it, it's because, you know, your mom is your coach. So, I decided not to try out for officer while I was on her team, but instead, I taught the JV team.

“So that was like my position that I had, which I actually think was a lot more fulfilling than being an officer because I really got to pour into the younger girls and get to know them.”

After graduating from high school and starting her college journey, Clark longed to be a part of a dance team. Looking for ways to get involved in dance as a student, Clark found an online prep program called Pro Focus that aims to help dancers through Zoom courses get prepared to try out for an NFL or NBA team.

“I ended up training in [Pro Focus], my freshman and sophomore year at Baylor,” Clark said. “And I was like, I miss being on a team. But there's nothing in Waco. So, I was like, what can I do to get on a team and challenge myself and make myself better? That was when I had heard about the Allen Americans, which [is] an ECHL [East Coast Hockey League] hockey team.”

Joining the Ice Angels for the Allen Americans was no easy feat for Clark. Having to attend practices every Sunday and Monday while also attending games meant she spent a lot of time in her car driving from Waco to Allen. Even though it was a challenge, Clark is thankful for the lessons the Ice Angels taught her.

“It taught me a lot about like, perseverance and dedication in that if you really want something, you can make time for it,” Clark said. “There were days where, you know, I was tired and it felt like there was not enough hours in my day to do everything I wanted to do, but I think it just really taught me that if you're passionate about something, you can make it happen.”

With her time with the Allen American Ice Angels coming to an end, Clark is refocusing on her goal of being an NFL cheerleader. Her dream is to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys. Even though the Cowboys Cheerleaders have grown a lot of attraction with social media influencers due to the show “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team,” Clark is focused on pursuing her dream.

“I'm just a dancer. I'm not an influencer. So, I think that makes it a little more challenging,” Clark said. “But if I could be anywhere, [Dallas is] where I would be. But at the end of the day, I really just want to dance. And so, if that's not [the] Cowboys, if that's not what God has in place for me, that's okay. I'll audition somewhere else, but my dream would be to be in Dallas.”