Cool Captain of the Icicles Dance team

A new home in a new city and a new job at a new school meant a lot of changes for Rehannon Pekny. Looking for familiarity after moving to Fort Collins from Nebraska, the sixth-grade teacher turned to dance.



“Teaching is my passion and teaching dance keeps me going,” Pekny said. “I’m not a happy person unless I’m dancing, and I know that.”

The 26-year-old decided to be proactive and contacted the Colorado Ice, northern Colorado’s new indoor football team, to see if they were going to have a dance team.

“I said I wanted to be involved no matter what,” she said.

She applied for the dance coach position and was hired in September. She held three tryouts and formed a team of 11 girls from Denver to Fort Collins to be the Colorado Icicles.

“One of the hardest things is getting our name out there,” Pekny said. “We are a semi-professional team and are at that level,” she said. “We want dancers at that level.”

Pekny started dancing at a young age and has continued her whole life. She has taught lessons for years, danced for the NIFL League, coached the Nebraska Cranes dance team and started her own dance program.

“Dance gives me the ability to express myself through movement and relieves stress,” Pekny said.

She is trained in all forms of dance, but she particularly enjoys hip hop and jazz.
“I’m a white hip-hop girl,” she said.

Her biggest goal for the team is for it to be active in volunteering in the community.
“I really hope our team can interact with the community, create a welcoming positive atmosphere for kids and parents and bring an entertainment piece to the games.”

When she isn’t working at Walt Clark Middle School in Loveland, she is usually doing things for the dance team. Though the juggling makes for a busy schedule, Pekny is happy to do it.

“It feels good to get back to dance,” she said.

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VITAL STATS
Name: Rehannon Pekny, 26, of Fort Collins
Company: Colorado Ice
Title: Dance coach / captain / choreographer
How long have you worked there? Since September
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IN HER WORDS

What is it about this job that makes it challenging?
Since this is the first year the Colorado Ice is here, we are trying to get our name out in the community.

Makes you get out of bed in the morning?
My love of life, which includes dancing.

Things that impress you?
Honesty, commitment, and charisma

Things that don’t.
People who act like the world is out to get them.

How do young/new employees get ahead?
Perseverance! You have to believe to achieve.

Did you ever think in a million years you’d work here?
I was hoping to be in this position. Considering that dance is a passion of mine, I am very blessed to be where I am today.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
I would be trying to start a youth dance program.

What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done while at work?
Me— make stupid mistakes?ha!

Smartest?
Choose dancers that are not only talented at dance, but also have good morals and beliefs.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done to make money?
Actually, my cousin and I decided to work with Axe and be “Axe Angels.” We had to dress up in heels and fake glasses and hand out samples of Axe products to individuals. After 3 grueling days and 20 hours we were done! Good money, but never again!

What’s the one thing you wish you could do on the job that you can’t right now? Nothing, I love my job.

Name one thing in your life that really prepared you for your job.
My parents taught me to be independent and set goals. They helped to realize that I am the only person who can either succeed or fail. In my case I chose success!

What’s the biggest payoff in your job?
I love to work with people. In this position I am able to interact with the community in many ways. It’s fun to bring a smile to a person’s face.

Are you the boss?
Of my team— yes, of the organization— no.

Do you think you should be?
Because I am so independent, I often like to be in charge, but I believe my boss does an exceptional job.

What do you do when you’re not at work?
I play with my cat and dog, run, read, grade papers...

Family? Pets?
Fiancé— Sean Haines, cat— Princess, dog— Denali.

Favorite TV shows?
“CSI Las Vegas” and “So You Think You Can Dance”.

Movies.
Wizard of Oz

Books?
“The Giver” and any book by James Patterson.

What Web sites do you have bookmarked?
All “teacher” Web sites.

Where do you play? Go out to eat?
Colorado is new for me... I am constantly trying out new restaurants... so far my favorite is Island Grill.

Favorite spot?
Anywhere outside (in nice weather, of course).