Ingram to fly high as a Redbird

Kalli Ingram had a simple audition for the Illinois State University Dance Team.

Ingram was in Washington D.C for the We the People Contest during the audition process.

So instead of dancing in person, she sent a video.

“I was really shocked and excited when I found out I made the team,” she said. “We were on our way back to the hotel on the bus in DC when I found on via Facebook and I honestly couldn’t believe it. Abby Schlueter actually tackled me from across the aisle in congratulations.”

Ingram said she has many great memories from dancing for the St. Joseph-Ogden dance team as well as dancing with Gallo Dance Studio from going to state with the SJO team to the yearly Gallo pool party.

“I have learned how to be a teammate and how it’s okay to rely on others occasionally to help you through almost anything,” she said. “I love the bonds you form and the people you get to meet along the way as well as expressing myself in a way that doesn’t involve talking.”

Ingram said most people assume that dance is easy and that is not the case.

“It is so much more than just moving your body to music,” she said. “You have to be able to memorize the steps and have to be flexible enough to complete them.”

Ingram has danced for 16 years.

“I really couldn’t see myself stopping now,” she said.

In addition to dance, Ingram will be focusing on her academics at ISU.

Ingram chose to attend ISU in the fall because she enjoyed the campus and it was close to home.

She plans on majoring in chemistry with a focus on forensic chemistry.

“I want to hopefully be working for a crime lab somewhere and solving crimes,” she said. “My ultimate goal would be to work for the FBI.”