Andria Ruiz Advances to the 2017 Arthur Murray All-Star Championships
Name: Andria Ruiz
Studio: San Antonio
All Star History: "This is only my second year doing All-Stars"
Year You Started in the Business: 2008
Position: Teacher
What is the AM All-Star Competition?The Arthur Murray All-Stars is a skills competition for every level of professional within each location around the world. The goal is to grow, develop, and reveal the professionals that demonstrate the best customer service, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. The competition begins in each studio and winners advance to small region, or District, competitions. From there the District winners advance to the large region, or Area, competition. Finally, the Area winners advance to the World Championships in Las Vegas where each Area team tests and one team is pronounced the winner.
More importantly, the real winners are the students of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios as these tests, and accompanying training, help to deliver better communication, teamwork, problem solving, and confidence from every member of the staff.
AML: First off, congratulations on moving into the finals in Last Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
AR: I was in complete and utter shock. I truly thought I was imagining it. Hunter actually had to say my name twice for me to realize that he was, in fact, announcing that I had won.
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
AR: I felt very nervous and very scared. I had had some things come up in my personal life that shook my confidence. However, the morning of All-Stars I decided to just be myself and I thought that was the best.
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
AR: The night before, my teammate and I had one last-minute cram session. In the past I have done this before big exams and it always works well for me. The morning of, all the competitors were listening to music to pass the time and relax. That was the best thing we could have done. I remember hearing "MMMBop" by Hanson play as I was in the hallway awaiting my turn for the short answer portion. I simply smiled and rocked out and did a head bang in my chair to help myself relax.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
AR: It helps to reinforce the skills that make me a good teacher and allows me to think of new ways to help students. This has also made me a better professional and follow the Arthur Murray standards and procedures, yet I have to be me. No one else can be me, and I cannot try to be someone else's idea of the perfect teacher.
AML: What's you All-Star backstory? If you can give a little synopsis of the highs and lows of this competition over the years.
AR: This is only my second year doing All-Stars. Last year was very eye-opening as to what the competition was about and what was expected of me. This year I tried to prepare as much as possible and keep in mind what my areas of growth were from last year. This year has been wonderful as I accomplished my goal of making it to the finals!
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
AR: If my team wins, that would truly be the cherry on the cake of an amazing experience. Not only is this my first time competing in the finals, but it is also my first time in Last Vegas. I have an incredibly talented team and I would love to make my team, Area Chairperson, Franchisees, students, and family proud by representing Area 5 and coming back as the winner.
AML: Who are some people that helped you get to this point?
AR: My Franchisees, Holly and Ricardas Simkaitis, have helped me tremendously. They not only helped me with training but reinforce the notion that I need to trust myself. Also, my first Franchisees, Les and Linda Hillier, gave me four years of fantastic training and guidance. Without these four incredible individuals, I would not be here today.
AML: Last question: what does this mean to you? What makes it special?
AR: I was able to make my first trip to Vegas happen by doing what I love. I got through a rough time by channeling my energy and focus on All-Star Training.
I also got to prove to some who doubted me that I can do this.
I am a good teacher who loves her career, and I can't imagine a better way to show that than making my Arthur Murray family and my ordinary family proud!
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