Westerner World does a Q&A with Lubbock High’s new pom coach, Savanna Mills.

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching dance for about 8 years at a dance studio. However, this is my second year teaching in a school.

Q: Where have you taught previous to LHS?

A: I taught dance at Alderson Elementary last year.

Q: What were you like as a student?

A: I always liked school. When I was a student, I always did what my teachers asked me to do. I also studied a lot. I was enrolled in several AP classes, and I was heavily involved in dance and choir. Occasionally, I would have a sassy, teenage girl attitude, but I eventually grew out of that.

Q: What’s your impression of Lubbock High?

A: I love Lubbock High School! I love the history behind the school, and I think the building is so beautiful! I am also in love with the students and faculty. Everybody has been so nice and welcoming! I love how  everybody is so accepting, and I love the diversity that you can find on this campus. I am so proud to say that I am a Westerner!

Q: Do you have a favorite teaching story?

A: I have so many crazy and amazing teaching stories. It is really hard to choose one. There is one story that I hold close to my heart. I had this student one time who never sang in music class, and she had a hard time in school. One day, she came up to me and asked me if she could sing me a song that she wrote about her family. I was blown away because I had no idea that she liked to sing, much less write songs. Anyways, when she opened her mouth, I got chills. This girl’s song was so good, and so true to the heart about her home life. The song was such a beautiful story about the struggles she has gone through in her childhood. Her voice is beautiful. This girl was 10 years old, and when she was singing, she sounded like she was 20. It was amazing! I told her she needed to audition for a contest on TV, or put her songs on YouTube, it was that good. It made me feel good that she felt comfortable sharing that song with me, and opening up to me like that. I will never forget it.

Q: What do you look forward to the most at LHS?

A: I am looking forward to all of the big performances that I am involved in this year. For example, pom will have several pep rallies and halftime shows. I can not wait to see Mamma Mia on stage, it is looking so good! And, I am so excited to see my dance classes on stage at recital! It is so rewarding to me as a teacher to see students grow and put on an amazing performance. I love watching the process to get to the final result.