Ashley Lonier Believes Small Actions Make a Big Difference
Ashley Lonier isn’t your average high schooler. She’s a dancer, a teacher, an animal rescuer, and an adventure seeker. Whether she’s performing on stage or bottle-feeding baby kittens, Ashley puts her heart into everything she does.
“I live by the idea that even small actions can make a difference,” Ashley says. “And being kind to others is free.”
Dancing with Heart
Ashley has been dancing since she was two and a half years old. Today she is part of Dance Motion, a pre-professional performance group at Bender Performing Arts where dancers train in many styles and perform at events and competitions.
Her favorite style is contemporary dance.
“It allows me to express myself and create unique movements,” she explains. “The other styles of dance don’t always allow for an emotional journey.”
Ashley also works as a teacher assistant at her studio, helping younger dancers learn.
“Being a teacher assistant is a very rewarding experience because I get to inspire younger dancers to work hard and learn to love dance,” she says.
Helping Animals
Dance is just one part of Ashley’s busy life. She also spends her time caring for animals.
She volunteers at Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, where she walks dogs, cleans up after cats, and helps with daily chores. At the Arizona Humane Society, Ashley is part of the Humane Teens program, where she learns animal-handling skills and helps out at events.
“Volunteering at animal shelters is about more than just getting volunteer hours,” she says. “It has taught me many lessons, from patience and hard work to empathy and responsibility.”
Giving Back
Helping others is very important to Ashley.
“I enjoy helping others in my community because it brings me a sense of purpose and fulfillment,” she says. “I try to show gratitude throughout my life every day. I like to focus on what I can give to others rather than what I don’t have.”
Through a partnership with MORIAH Cooperative, Ashley worked with children with special needs. She is also a member of National Honor Society, which is a group that recognizes students who work hard in school, show leadership, and volunteer in their communities. On top of that, she tutors other students and even traveled to Costa Rica to volunteer at wildlife rescues.
Finding Balance
With so many activities, Ashley has to plan carefully.
“One of the biggest struggles in my life is learning to balance school, dance, volunteering, and my social life,” she says.
Her solution? Stay organized.
“I start with my requirements which are school and dance, and then I plan my other activities around them. If I know I have a free weekend, I will schedule a shelter shift or make plans with my friends.”
Adventure Time
Ashley isn’t always working or volunteering. She loves adventure and the outdoors. You might find her hiking, kayaking, going on road trips, or even riding in a hot-air balloon.
“I love an adrenaline rush,” she says. “And I hope to go skydiving when I turn 18!”
Leading with Kindness
Ashley says her dance teachers gave her advice she always carries with her.
“We never know what someone else is going through,” she says. “Everyone has an invisible weight on their shoulders weighing them down, so I always try to keep this in mind during every interaction I have with others.”
Ashley leads with compassion, lives with purpose, and reminds us all that the smallest actions, done with heart, can make a big difference.