Maine

Company Member since 2024

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Carrie grew up in Kittery, Maine, where she loved skating, swimming, biking, and neighborhood games—but dance has always been her passion. She began tap and ballet at 9 and continued dancing through high school, college, and later with adult and senior groups. In high school she was a varsity cheerleader, head majorette, VFW band majorette, dance soloist, and a basketball player. At the University of Maine, she played field hockey, was feature majorette for the marching band, joined Alpha Phi, and performed in a modern dance troupe. In 1959, she danced and won the talent award at the Miss Maine Pageant, which is part of the Miss America Scholarship Program. In the 1960s, she was Miss York Vacationland and Miss Greater Portsmouth, NH. With a scholarship, she earned a B.S. in Physical Education and Biology and later a Master’s in Education from Gardner-Webb University.

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Carrie taught junior high and high school PE in Portsmouth, NH, then spent 29 years teaching elementary PE in Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools. She choreographed performances, taught preschool tumbling at the YMCA, and used movement, music, and dance to help children learn through play. Outside of dance, she loves golf, sea turtle nest sitting, reading, and traveling with her husband, Jack—especially on horseback. She has ridden around the world, including Russia, Germany, Iceland, the Tetons, and Costa Rica, and enjoys local trail rides to the beach.

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Very active in her church and community, Carrie chairs the Worship Team, leads the bereavement ministry, volunteers with sea turtle programs, has served as president of the Brick Landing Women’s Club, and is part of the “Nine Is Fine Golf Group” and the South Brunswick Islands Shallotte Shrinettes, supporting children’s charities. She feels blessed by four grandchildren—Nick, Abby, Matt, and Emily—a great‑grandson, Calvin, and her cat Mischa and dog Annie.

 

Competition wasn’t her goal when she joined the Hi‑Steppers, but after a year and a half of tapping, she was thrilled to win the NC State Senior Follies. She says, “I wasn’t sure an 82‑year‑old body would keep up with these young seniors, but I was inspired by two other octogenarians on the team. I am so excited to be part of this caring, supportive, kind, enthusiastic, talented, and energetic group of women. Tina Leak teaches with so much talent, love, and unselfish devotion… The Hi‑Steppers have been another blessing in my life! God is good, and I look up every day, smiling with thankfulness.