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BUSY AND BALANCED

Dodger senior Richardson heavily involved in a slew of activities

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Dallas Richardson reacts after scoring a run for the Fort Dodge softball team last summer at Rogers Park.

Dallas Richardson typically spends around 16 hours a day balancing academic responsibilities with her extra-curricular commitments.

The Fort Dodge senior knows she could lighten her workload some by thinning out or simplifying her schedule. Instead of finding less to do, Richardson continues to embrace every opportunity that comes her way while she still has the chance.

“I think it’s important to have such diverse activities in your life, because each one brings a different personality out of you and can teach you a certain life lesson,” said Richardson, an All-Iowa Honor Dance Team member for four years who is also on the Dodger softball squad. “Being in softball makes me tough and competitive, whereas in dance, I’m more emotional and express my feelings while dancing.

“You also have the opportunity to meet so many different people, and build those relationships.”

In a day and age of increased specialization, Richardson would rather find the best of all worlds. She’s been a decorated dance standout — three Div. I ratings for state solo, while also helping the Fort Dodge program reach new heights as a team — and has lettered twice already in softball. Richardson has earned a Div. I rating at large group speech as well, and is both an all-CIML academic standout and National Honor Society member at FDSH.

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Dallas Richardson performs for the Fort Dodge dance squad inside Dodger Stadium.

What is the secret to Richardson’s success and ability to balance everything?

“A good way to stay on track with everything is to think about what you need to do tomorrow,” said Richardson, also the 2020 Homecoming queen and a “Triple Threat” Dodger award winner. “What clothing and equipment do you need for practices tomorrow? What do I know I’ll be doing in class? What time are my practices? Thinking ahead and preparing yourself will help immensely.

“As someone who leaves in the morning for school and then gets home at 10:30 almost every night, I have to make sure I have little to no homework because I simply don’t have time. I would advise doing as much work as possible in class, and staying on task. Some days it will be frustrating, but it’s all worth it when you get to do everything you love.”

In addition to being involved in dance, track and softball for all four years, Richardson has participated in Dodger Senate as a student body officer; Large group speech; FDSH Ambassadors; A capella choir; the musical all four years; spring ball; and Hollingsworth competition dance.

“Sandra Hollingsworth has been my dance teacher since I was three (years old). She’s watched me grow up and helped form me into the dancer I am today,” said Richardson, the daughter of Sean and Andrea Richardson. “Along with that, her granddaughter — Tiffany DeCastro — has also pushed me each and everyday to be a better dancer.

“(Dodger dance coach) Emily Eastwood has always allowed me to go out of my comfort zone, works with me to choreograph our routines, and has really pushed me to become a leader. Work with individuals if they need it, be there for your teammates when they feel down. (FDSH softball coach) Andi Adams has made a huge impact on my life. Every day at softball I learn about hard work, dedication and teamwork. She has pushed me to go after what I want and has always been supportive of my dancing career. All of these women have played such a huge role in my life and I will remember them all.”

Dance is Richardson’s forte, and a path she will pursue at Iowa State University while majoring in architecture. The Dodger dance program placed fourth at state in the hip-hop category her freshman year, then branched out during Richardson’s junior campaign.

“Emily heard that a good amount of people wanted to just do hip-hop and not the technical side of dance, so she decided to make a new team, Code Red,” said Richardson, who carries a 3.75 cumulative grade point average. “There is a team called Dodger Dance, which is the more technical side like pom and jazz. Then Code Red, the hip-hop team.

“We saw a huge rise in numbers for the dance team. Code Red ended up having about 32 girls on the floor for state.”

Fort Dodge was third in hip-hop and fourth in pom in 2020. The Dodgers then reached an unprecedented level this year, working their way around COVID-19 and sweeping Div. I ratings in December at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

“For a while, we didn’t know if we could dance at football games or basketball games, and for a second we almost didn’t have a state dance,” Richardson said. “At the start of the season, you could tell everyone wanted to be there and everyone wanted to get better. We spent so many hours practicing our state routines over and over. It paid off, as we place third in hip-hop, fourth in pom and then third in jazz.

“When I heard we placed in jazz I fell to the floor crying tears of happiness as my fellow teammates surrounded me and hugged me. Never has the dance team placed all three dances that they have competed. When I look back and see how far this team has gone, it gives me great joy to be a part of it and how I have grown myself as well. All of the past teams I have been a part of have always felt like a family;, I think this is a huge part of improving. My only hope is that the program continues to grow and someday they will become state champions. I also hope that the rise of this program informs people how much these dancers work for each performance at the sport events, working so hard to perform at state, and understanding that there season is all school year.”

Richardson has been a Dodger softball varsity letterwinner in each of the last two seasons, predominantly as a runner. Fort Dodge was 35-7 in 2019 and 28-4 last summer, reaching state both times and placing second a year ago.

TIMEOUT WITH DALLAS RICHARDSON

Vacation destination: Greece.

I would like to have dinner with: The whole Marvel cast.

It would surprise people that I: have a sewing machine and love to remake my clothes into something new.

My sports role model: Sarah Seaba.

My everyday role model: my mom.

I can’t go a day without: Dr. Pepper.

Nickname: Dal or Dalli.

Superstition: praying before I compete in anything.

Most heated rivalry: Carlisle.

Favorite road trip: Colorado with my family last summer to be in my aunt’s wedding.

What are you listening to right now? “Arcade” by Duncan Laurence.

Favorites…

Team: Chicago Cubs.

Class: Spanish with Senora Hinders.

Movie: The Avengers.

Book: “Sincerely” by FS Yousaf.

Phone app: Snapchat.

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