The Arthur Murray All Star Spotlight: Carolyn Serquina
Sometimes, the fear of the unknown can create problems where there aren't. But other times, as in Carolyn Serquina's case, the unknown allows for freedom from worry. Not knowing what could scare you has an interesting way of not scaring you. For Carolyn, the unknown came in the form of the Arthur Murray All Star test, and this first time participant is advancing to the Semi-Finals because she was calm, poised, and fearless.
Minus a few fingernails.
AML: What's your Arthur Murray Story?
CS: My Arthur Murray Story is actually quite short because well, I just got here! It’s only been about three months since I joined the Walnut Creek studio but I really feel like I belong here.
I enjoy being office manager because it gives me the opportunity to work in a fun environment that allows me to help students seek out their dance dreams and overall, make them happy.
In addition, I love all my coworkers and bosses! It’s genuinely like we’re a family, not just here in the WC studio, but all our studios combined because everyone knows each other and gets really excited when the others are around! Whenever I am at work, I feel like I am at home.
AML: What was it like to find out that you made it to the Semi-Finals in Portland?
CS: It was so surreal. I couldn't believe it because I thought I bombed my entire simulation test. But in the end I was really happy and felt even more special when I found out how many rookies there were, and also that I was the first admin in history to move onto the Semi Finals in the rookie category in our area.
AML: How did you react when you got the news? Did you freak out, stuff like that?
CS: I was not expecting at all to be chosen for the Semi-Finals in Portland. I started off biting my nails and dreading the thought of being tested. And then, when my test was over, I left the Hayward studio thinking, "well, that was a dud." But, then later that night, when I was actually in the middle of taking a dance lesson, I hear our supervisor Karen calling out my name really loudly across the ballroom.
The conversation went sorta like this:
KAREN: " CAROLYN!!" ME: "Yes?" KAREN: "Charlotte's on the phone! Your phone!" ME: "You answered my cellphone??" KAREN: "Yes, here you go!" ME: " Hello?" CHARLOTTE: " I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! I AM SOOOOOOOOOO PROUD!" ME: "Um.... why?" CHARLOTTE: " YOU ARE MY TOP ROOKIE!" ME: "HUH?"
It was definitely an entertaining and lively night in the studio that night- that's for sure. I was still in disbelief, I didn't think it was real for about a week.
AML: How many All Stars have you participated in?
CS: This was my first time.
AML: How has the process improved you as a Professional?
CS: It has improved me professionally by helping me to realize that I don't need to be so nervous all the time, just do your absolute best, be yourself and work hard and you will succeed. It made me believe in myself.
AML: OK, make your shameless case for why you should advance to the World All Star Finals in Las Vegas
CS: I think I should move on to the final round because I think it would be really inspiring for the first admin rookie to make it to the top! I love this company, and it would definitely prepare for any situation I come across in the future.
Final Thought
Walnut Creek is a busy dance studio. So busy, in fact, that there are two Office Managers. Both of whom rely on each other, share tasks, highlights, and plenty of laughter - a little like family. Not many people could jump into this type of environment, this early on, and add an All Star win to top things off.
Then again, Carolyn does pretty well with the unknown.
Let's just hope her fingernails hold up.
