06/18/2026
We’re excited to recognize Adult Class dancer MOLLIE SCHAFER as our June Dancer of the Month for *Encouragement*.
Mollie believes that encouragement has the power to make a real difference in someone’s life. She shared, “An encouraging word can give someone a little extra push when they want to give up, and it can make someone feel visible when they feel invisible.” Having been blessed with encouraging people in her own life, she strives to offer that same support to others whenever she can.
While she enjoys the exercise and challenge of learning new steps, her favorite part of Irish dance is the people. “The older I get, the more I realize that the most important things in life aren’t necessarily my achievements, but the people I encounter and the friends I make.” Mollie is proof that it's never too late to set new goals, learn new skills, and find joy in Irish dance. Her enthusiasm for learning and commitment to improving are an inspiration to dancers of all ages. She especially appreciates the kindness, acceptance, and encouragement she experiences from her fellow dancers each week.
Like every dancer, Mollie faces challenges in class and competition. Her current goals are to confidently dance through all of her steps without hesitation and eventually add third steps. She admires dancers who continue to push forward and become the best versions of themselves, and she brings that same mindset to her own dancing.
Outside of Irish dance, Mollie loves spending time with her family and her kids. Whether they’re mini golfing, bowling, thrifting, going to the beach, playing games, or simply laughing together, family time is what she treasures most. She also shares this advice with her fellow dancers: “You’ll make mistakes, you won’t always win, and you won’t always make the right choices—but keep moving forward. Learn from your experiences, become better, and never give up.”
