March 27, 2025 - The Canyon High School varsity Aristocat dance team is a shining light in the Cougar community performing at football games, cheering on fellow athletes, and filling the halls with school spirit and pride. While the team’s leaps and turns appear effortless, being an Aristocat is no easy feat.
Fortunately, senior Presley Patek has never been afraid of the hard work and dedication required to be a dancer and a team player. Beginning her journey in dance at the age of 3, Patek has spent a majority of her life in the dance community with the support of her family.
“At this point in my life, dance has become a part of who I am,” says Patek, who has won countless awards as a dancer. “My mom was a dancer when she was my age and my younger sister also dances, so it’s safe to say dance plays a huge role in my family.”
Patek has been a member of the Aristocat team since her sophomore year and the team captain since her junior year. Her desire to become an Aristocat began at Church Hill Middle School, after watching the team perform a competition routine.
“I felt inspired by their performances,” says Patek, who at that time was regularly attending a local dance studio to hone her skills, “and I wanted to compete at their high level.”
Now in her senior year, Patek has accomplished a successful final competition season with the Aristocats. In her solo category she placed first at Dance Team Union Regionals and Crowd Pleasers Dance Spirit Regionals in January, as well as placing seventh at Dance Team Union Nationals in Orlando, Florida and second at Ascension Nationals at Texas State.
Despite the success, it is the friendships made and memories shared that Patek holds close to her heart.
“My favorite part about being an Aristocat are the experiences I will remember forever with the girls who have become my sisters,” Patek says. “Although competition season is hard, those are the memories I will never forget each year.”
Throughout her high school career Patek was involved in volleyball, powerlifting, and track and field as well as dance. Academically, she is ranked in the top five percent of her class, has been enrolled in all advanced academic courses, and is a member of the National Honor Society and a founding member of the Spanish Honor Society serving as the social media chair.
With graduation around the corner, Patek plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall and major in Biomedical Sciences. Currently, with the encouragement of CHS head dance director Taylor Goodman, Patek is in the recruitment process for the Aggie Dance Team hoping to continue her dance career at the collegiate level.
“When a dancer like Presley is serious about pursuing dance beyond high school, my role is to do everything I can to help them achieve that goal by providing guidance, resources, and encouragement,” Goodman explains. “What makes supporting Presley so rewarding is her passion and commitment to her dancing. She is someone who consistently goes above and beyond, approaches every opportunity with seriousness, and strives to improve each and every day.”
No doubt, the commitment Patek dedicates to not only support her team as captain but to further develop herself as a dancer and leader, will leave a legacy of greatness for all Aristocats to come.
Thank you Presley Patek for being an exemplary role model on your Path to Success!
Photo Descriptions
- Canyon High School senior Presley Patek cheers at a game.
- Canyon High School senior Presley Patek dancing.
- Canyon High School senior Presley Patek.