Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Phoebe Karabas, New Trier dance

Phoebe Karabas is a senior for the Trevians who has been on the varsity competitive dance team for four years. She recently helped the Trevs place eighth in the IHSA championships.

1. Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?

For me, before every dance competition — I’ve been doing this since freshman year — I always get the same thing from Starbucks: a strawberry acai refresher. That’s my kinda thing. For the team, we all come up in a circle and lay on the floor and have a super long meditation that coach guides us through. We do that every time to get us ready to compete and get calm in our bodies.

2. What are your plans for next year?

I am still waiting to hear back from a couple of schools. It’s been a long process. but I’m exited. I’m hoping to go to the University of South Carolina and know for sure I’m majoring in special education.

3. What would be your dream job?

I’d say working in special education, probably as a teacher. I do a lot of clubs at New Trier regarding special education. In free periods, I go to classes and help my peers with special needs. I’ve found comfort and joy in that and want to continue doing it.

4. Why dance?

I started when I was about 3 years old when my mom put us in a baby ballet class. I just continued doing it. I was not sure exactly what route I wanted to take or if I wanted to compete, but a lot of my friends who I met through dance chose the competition route. I did studio until freshman year, and then freshman year through now I’ve been on the dance team.

5. What’s a highlight moment for you in the sport?

I’d say honestly this year at state. It was our first time making it to the second day of state. We had to get top 12. Our goal was to get to the second day, but to finish eighth. We were the best hip-hop team in our division. It was super special and we are all really excited about it.

6. If you could compete in another sport, what would it be?

Maybe I’d try gymnastics. I personally can’t do any tricks, but I always think it’s so cool and I like watching it at the Olympics. I think it would be really cool to learn how to do.

7. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I spend a lot of time with friends and family, so anything regarding them — going out for dinner, hanging out after school. That’s something I like putting my time to when I’m done with school and dance.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’d say my favorite candy would be a KitKat and then maybe one of the Poppi sodas (orange); that would be my drink of choice.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

This is my go-to fun fact: I was in a commercial when I was little with whole family. My aunt is an executive producer and used our whole family for a commercial. It was for Pyrex, for their 100th anniversary.

10. What does New Trier dance mean to you?

All the girls on the team are like my sisters. We are all so close and all share the same goals. It’s all about community and encouragement and trying to push each other to go further than we know. The community aspect and how motivated we are for the things that drive us forward.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.