A Texas Girl

While attending The University of Texas at Austin, Chloe Carpenter continues to work hard and shine bright

by AMBER SMITH ZALISKI

For as long as she can remember, Chloe Carpenter has had a twinkle in her eyes for Texas. A Texarkana girl born and raised, the fall of 2020 was finally time for her to pack up her boots, an assortment of other dancing shoes, and her incredible work ethic, and make her way to The University of Texas at Austin, where she continues to shine just as bright – deep in the heart of Texas.

Pleasant Grove Showstoppers Zoe May, Rachel Hemphill, Kathryn Davis, Chloe Carpenter, Cara Anne Court and Jordan Richardson during a football playoff game their senior year. 

(Photo by Kun Qin)

Growing up in Texarkana, in the same house her whole life, with her parents Caven and Stephanie, her older brother Zach, and their two dogs, Roscoe and Mack, Chloe loved the stability and familiarity of a small(er) hometown. “One of the best parts about growing up in Texarkana would be how close-knit the community feels. I know I could walk into Dillards right now, and I would probably know every other person I see. On top of that, living in Austin this past year made me realize how different Texarkana is from the rest of the world, and it has also made me appreciate coming home a whole lot more.”

From kindergarten through senior year, Chloe attended Pleasant Grove schools and was valedictorian of the Class of 2020. “In high school, I was involved in everything from advanced art to broadcast journalism, but the thing that meant the most to me was being a member of the Showstopper drill team. My mom was the Showstopper director before I was born, so I grew up admiring the girls that came before me.”

Thanks to Texas Chi Omega, Chloe (center) made new friends with Zoe Goudarzi and Jordan Mendez.

While Chloe has excelled in many things, her lifelong passion has always been dance. “I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and spent most of my time at the Judith McCarty School of Dancing.” Chloe participated in Texarkana Community Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” for 10 years and had the opportunities to dance as the Snow Queen, Clara, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. She spent all four years of high school on the Showstopper drill team, serving as a Lieutenant her junior year and Captain her senior year. “One of my most favorite memories was performing our halftime routine on the field at AT&T Stadium during the 2019 Football State Championship game, which PG ended up winning! I love dancing so much because it’s the reason I have some of my best friends I’ve ever made. It’s also the ultimate escape from all my stress and worries. I just love the way it makes me feel.”

Chloe will tell you that choosing to become a Longhorn was one of the easiest choices she’s ever made. “I grew up going to Texas football games, both of my uncles went to UT, and I’ve never met a bigger Texas fan than my dad, except maybe for me!” she said. “I was especially drawn to Austin, not only because it’s so big, but because there are so many fun things to do.” 

Texas Pom members Chloe Carpenter, Alyssa Nunn, Kendall Dant, Julianne Weintraub and Alyssa De La Cruz during the Texas versus West Virginia game.

Chloe doesn’t typically settle for the easiest route, however, and set her sights higher, aiming to join the Texas Pom Squad, the all girls dance team that performs at major University of Texas events throughout the year. “My tryout process for Texas Pom was unlike anything I’ve ever done before – especially during the pandemic. It consisted of Zoom interviews, dozens of video submissions, live Zoom tryouts and 10 weeks of dancing in my backyard in the summer heat, not to mention how many fake eyelashes I went through!” For the 2020-2021 season nearly 100 girls tried out, and only 23 were awarded poms. “The moment I got the phone call from the Texas Pom captain telling me I made the squad is easily one of my proudest dance moments. All I remember is that I started crying, and I’m pretty sure my dad did, too (but you didn’t hear that from me!). If you had asked me five years ago, I would have instantly said that ballet is my passion, but now, anytime I’m holding a pair of poms, I’m at my happiest.”

Chloe was valedictorian of the Pleasant Grove High School class of 2020. (Photo by Pleasant Grove High School Journalism Dept.)

The glitz and glamour of Texas Pom is only outworked by the commitment that it requires. The squad performs at all home football and basketball games, as well as many other school events throughout the year, in addition to select travel events. “One of the coolest appearances was when we got to perform for the welcoming of our new head football coach, Steve Sarkisian,” Chloe said. “On average, I spend 10 or so hours per week practicing, but most of the time it doesn’t even feel like practice. It’s just a lot of fun with a lot of calories burned. Some of my best college friends have come from Pom, and I can already tell they’ll be a big part of my life for many years. I also love that I get to be an ambassador for the best university in the nation while doing what I know God made me to do – dance.”

During the Texarkana Community Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” in 2019, Chloe danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. (Photo by Pleasant Grove High School Journalism Dept.)

In case it sounds like Chloe’s first year at UT has been all fun and games, well, for the most part it was a lot of fun and games – the rewards of dedication and a positive outlook. “My freshman year went way better than I ever could have imagined,” Chloe said. “Being in a sorority helped me make instant friends, and my roommate and I grew so close we’re going to continue rooming together next year, too! I’ve learned so much about different people, lifestyles, and beliefs, and I am so grateful that I’ve been able to grow as a person through this experience.” Chloe said she’s also learned so much about how to survive on her own. “Of course, I still have to call my mom multiple times a day with questions!” she laughed. “I may be biased, but I can’t think of one negative thing about choosing UT.”

Chloe is majoring in advertising and just added a minor in business. “UT’s advertising school was just named #1 in the country! I don’t have a set career plan, but I am hoping to do something more on the analytical side of advertising and business,” she said. “I’m a big math girl – I get it from my mom!”

Even away from home, Chloe Carpenter carries the values of commitment and compassion that have been instilled in her from her earliest memories. “Something that continues to stick with me, that I think about every day, is what my mom would always tell me. She would always say, “Be a light.” I try to use this idea in every part of my life by showing people the grace and love that God shows me every day. I always hope that I can make even the slightest positive difference in the crazy, divided world we live in,” Chloe said. “I continue to stay motivated in everything I do because I know how blessed I am to have the privileges that I get to live with every day.”