Greatness can be possessed by all who try to obtain it, but possessing a warm heart, competitive spirit, and drive to be the best comes from within.
Noelia Warnette, University of Memphis adjunct dance professor and Memphis Maniax cheerleader possesses all of these qualities and more.
The New York native left her home for Memphis to explore new ideas and opportunities in a city not well known to her.
"I'm glad I came to Memphis because I am getting a chance to meet new people and have an influence on the arts in this city."
Warnette thrust herself onto the scene the minute she stepped foot in Memphis.
She choreographed a piece called Amazing Grace for the Memphis Black Repertory Theater, She was also the featured artist in the production a Soulful Christmas.
Warnette didn't stop there.
After being selected as Maniax cheerleader, she decided to take it a step further.
In last Saturday's game at the Liberty Bowl, Warnette was not only featured as a cheerleader -- she sang the national anthem.
Warnette said that it was a good experience and hopes she receives the chance to do it again.
"I wasn't even nervous. I just wished there were more people there," she said.
Although Warnette is only 25, she is very much a professional.
She is a graduate of Laguardia high school which is known to many as the "Fame" school.
She attended the Alvin Ailey American Dance School for five years and even did off-Broadway musicals.
Warnette attended the Rosetta Lenoire Musical Theater Academy and was a dancer in the movie Malcolm X.
Her career has been a very successful one.
Warnette was even cast as a stand in for Jada Pinkett Smith in the Spike Lee movie "Bamboozled".
When Warnette came to Memphis, she had dreams of opening up her own dance school and that is still one her her goals. She has decided that teaching young dancers is not all that she wants to do.
"I love teaching, but by working at the university I have found that I get so much enjoyment out of teaching adults," Warnette said.
"Everyone has a different reason for wanting to learn to dance and I just want to help someone reach their goals," she said.
Since Warnette is a professor in the dance department, she will be choreographing jazz and African pieces for the faculty spring concert which will be held on April 6th, 7th and 8th.
Warnette loves teaching but still feels the need to perform.
She knows her talent may take her far away from Memphis, but believes that for right now this is the best place she could be.
"A teacher's job is to help shape and change lives. Right now this is my job," Warnette said.
"Everyday I try to do that as a teacher."
Warnette can be seen at the next Maniax home game cheering on her team.
