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Discipline from dance drives Hubbard scholar to success

Sidney Marenkovic

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of a series of Saturday profiles of area residents and their stories. To suggest a profile, contact features editor Burton Cole at bcole@tribtoday.com or metro editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com

HUBBARD — Hubbard High School valedictorian Sidney Marenkovic danced her way through school.

“At the age of 3, my mother put me into dance at my local dance studio in Hubbard, J&J’s Dance Depot,” Marenkovic, 18, of Hubbard said. “Dance started out as just a recreational activity that would get me out and about once a week. Each year I joined more and more classes and began to try new disciplines. Each new discipline that I tried, I enjoyed.”

Marenkovic said much of the credit for her academic success, volunteer work and her enrolling in a four-year doctorate program in pharmacy is the result of life lessons learned in dance.

“As dancers we are constantly working with people, whether it is our own peers on our team, younger children that we teach or parents at the studio. Although it might not seem like much, the environment that dance provides for children as they grow older is one that prepares you for the real world in ways you cannot imagine.”

“Dance encourages great discipline and drive within you. It is hard to do well in dance if you are not dedicated and willing to work hard for what you want to achieve,” she said.

“For me, this drive for dance has also helped me in school. Taking the most advanced classes that Hubbard High School offers, it can be extremely challenging sometimes. But my motivation and drive that originated from dance also keeps me going in school.

“I believe my overall competitiveness in school has also stemmed from dance. Although we are on teams at the dance studio, it has always felt good to achieve a win together. This feeling has also translated to school and my desire to do well.”

“Sidney (was) an outstanding student,” Hubbard High French teacher and French Club adviser Kesha Szeljack said. “Sidney has also received several academic achievement awards during her high school career.

“Growing up a dancer, Sidney has been taught discipline and how to manage a rigorous schedule, which will be extremely helpful as she continues her education,” Szeljack said.

“Unlike other activities, dance is considered both a sport and an art. Having to memorize choreography at a young age and behave well in class can be difficult for such young dancers, but these valuable lessons have served her well and will continue to have positive impacts for years to come.

“She understands the importance of keeping the arts alive and thriving to keep people connected,” Szeljack said.

Marenkovic was a Region 4 qualifier for the Ohio State History Day competition, a school district winner of the Voice of Democracy competition, a winner of the Press Day competition at Youngstown State University, and she received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester for demonstrating leadership in the community and a commitment to understanding social issues. She participated in the yearly STEM / STEAM Fest at the high school.

Besides academics, she was part of the National Honor Society, HUB Online Newspaper, Link Crew Leader, French Club, Ecology Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions and wind ensemble.

“I have chosen most of these activities and clubs in an attempt to involve myself in school as much as possible,” she said.

“Link Crew is a new program at Hubbard High School. It was designed to have upperclassmen welcome incoming freshmen into the high school. I joined this team because I feel the importance of wanting to be welcomed into a new space. I do believe that by being a Link Crew leader, I have left a positive impact on students within my high school.”

In dance, she racked up a number of regional and national titles in both solo and group routines, including a national title in the solo competition at VIP Dance Nationals.

She plans to keep on dancing.

“I am attending The Ohio State University and will be in the BSPS Program — Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences. I also applied and was interviewed for the Early Assurance Program, which ensures students a seat in the doctorate program for pharmacy,” Marenkovic said.

“After anxiously anticipating an answer, in mid-March I was accepted into the Early Assurance Program. I plan to continue onto this path after I complete the BSPS Program.

“Some career routes that interest me are pediatric and clinical pharmacy. I also plan to continue dancing in college by joining The Ohio State Club Dance Team for my freshman year of college,” Marenkovic said.

“In my valedictorian speech at the Hubbard High School graduation, I talked about a quote that I have sworn by for many years: ‘Everything happens for a reason,'” she said.

“I explained that even though you may go through hard times, it can be comforting to know that what you’re going through has an ultimate purpose. I believe this quote can be applied to anything in life and is an idea that one must look deeply into to fully grasp.”

Just dance.

bcole@tribtoday.com

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