By Barry Engelhardt

Nine-year-old McKinley student Brooke Baxter’s smile is infectious. She has a smile that lights up a room, causing others to smile back at her without even realizing it. It expresses not only an interest but an excitement to talk to you. At first impression, she’s warm and curious—possibly even a bit mischievous. As we speak, Brooke is engaged, actively listening in an uncommon and impressive way.

There is Brooke, who is nine, Brody, who is seven, and Brinley, who is four. Brooke is the daughter of two teachers who work within the school district. She’s also the oldest of three. Despite their young ages, they share responsibility for their household pet. The three siblings take turns feeding and caring for their fish, Ruby.

Brooke is in third grade. When asked what she enjoys most about the school, she answers decisively, naming “library and music” as her two favorite things. Brooke has yet to play an instrument and doesn’t necessarily like to sing but is passionate about music and dancing. She considers JoJo Siwa her favorite artist.

She is currently taking hip-hop and tap-dancing classes, but hip-hop dance is her favorite. She shares her love of dance with her mother, who also danced, as well as with several classmates. Having several classmates also studying dance reinforces their friendships, in and out of school. While she’s not into competitive dance yet, she hopes to be when she’s older.

While she also played soccer in the past, she is more drawn to the creative arts. She spends her days reading and her nights at dance class. Besides dance and library, Brooke also loves art class, especially when painting is involved. Rumor has it she paints a beautiful rainbow.

She also loves to read and says she most “enjoys reading chapter books. Especially the Babysitters Club, which is my favorite.”

Brooke considers her mom and dad her inspirations, appreciating their proactive support and involvement. They are both teachers in the district, with her mother, Christin, teaching third grade at McKinley Elementary, while her father, Paul teaches technology at Shepherd Middle School.

The family recently vacationed in Orlando, Florida, where they visited Disney World, where Brooke found her love for roller coasters despite finding Space Mountain scary. When selecting a souvenir, she chose a necklace and likes to make her own by stringing together rainbow-colored beads.

Brooke’s adventurous spirit and curiosity are likely just beginning at nine years of age. Her advice focuses on the ability to pay attention and grow, saying that people should “listen to their teachers as that’s how we learn to do new things.”

Brooke’s curiosity and passion are likely just beginning to be nurtured. With the support of her parents, dance instructors, and the teachers and faculty at McKinley School, she will continue to live more new experiences. She will find more and more passions. Just like in dance and gymnastics; she will fall and pick herself back up again. But through it all, she will continue to receive proactive support as she grows. And she’ll continue to smile that warm, infectious smile.