On the softball field or energizing crowds as a member of the Muskogee High School dance team, Shay Grissom enjoys being part of the Roughers spirit? VYPE posed these questions for the Muskogee junior.
VYPE: Describe how you manage your time to perform at your best, on the softball field and with the dance team?
Shay Grissom: I try to give whichever team I am with my best effort and full attention. It is physically demanding and it is definitely not easy because the expectations are high, but both of my teams mean the world to me so I give them every I’ve got.
VYPE: Is the dance team a competition or a performance? Why?
SG: I feel like the dance team started out as performance motivated, but we have improved and worked so hard that we transitioned into a competitive team. We made it to state last year and this February we are going to nationals in Florida which has never been done for Muskogee dance before.
VYPE: What talents can you employ in both dance and softball?
SG: I think talents I employ on both teams would be timing and stamina.
VYPE: What do you enjoy most about being on the dance team? Why?
SG: My teammates make it all worth it. The environment on our team is so healthy and loving. We have so much fun and accomplish so much together.
VYPE: Which dance teammate inspires you the most? Why?
SG: Honestly, my dance teammate that inspires me the most is Ellie Ficklin. Ellie is such a good team leader. She inspires me to go after my goals and gives such a good example on how to lead a team the right way.
VYPE: What three words best define you as a person, on and off the field?
SG: Three words that i think describe me on and off the field are accountable, charismatic, and dedicated.
VYPE: Which of these is most important? Why?
SG: In my opinion, dedicated is the most important. Being dedicated is not only beneficial to myself but also my teammates; I would do anything for them.
VYPE: What does it mean to you to be a Muskogee Rougher?
SG: I think that being a Rougher is special. We prove people wrong, a lot of times people doubt us and our ability to be great. Outsiders have a tendency to not believe in us. But we believe…and i feel like we have shown that you should never doubt a Rougher.
