It gives you such a glow just to know you're wearing lipstick and heels

Well. It's over. The heels can be put in the closet now without regret.
I stuck it out all 4 years. Not many people can say that.
If you didn't come to the concert, you suck.
Heh. Just kidding.....but seriously. You missed quite a show. And you'll never see me dance again. So sorry about that. Only my family and my best friend Aubrey and Catie and her mom came specifically to see me, and that meant a lot. I don't care much though because I'm used to living my life on my own, with no support save from my mom.

It's been a crazy ride to say the least. I didn't feel welcome my first year and I didn't have many - if any - friends on team. I wasn't the best by any means and I wasn't fully invested. But as change came and opportunities arose, I found my place in the team and the world and worked hard to be a better dancer and person. I don't really know what to say about my experience, except that I've learned a lot. Like I mentioned before, I might not have learned the same lessons I did in band, but they were definitely different ones that made me a better person. Like the fact that sometimes, people won't love and accept you for who you are, and you have to be independent some days. Like the fact that you have to know when to step up and be a leader because no one else will do it. There are times however when you just need to take a step back and shut your mouth. Change, acceptance of the change, and adjustment are all necessary evils in this life. It's how you react to them that matter most though.
I've dealt with all kinds of personalities and all kinds of crazy situations that happen only in movies. My mom is now a master at doing my ballroom hair now {it's only taken 6 years}.
The fact of the matter is, is that the ballroom program is NOT band. It will never be. As hard as I tried, I could never get them to think and act the same way. In the end, I gave up. And it's okay because it was always my get away and release from the world. Act a little crazy and dance a little skankily with no consequences. Ha. I will admit, at times, I was embarrassed to be apart of the company because I didn't agree with the ways they acted in public or went about certain things. Selfishness, I feel, was accepted. Only doing it for yourself was an okay way of life. Some people drove me absolutely crazy. Some still do. But I love them all the same. I just hope that with me being on the company for 4 years, I brought a little piece of reality, love, dedication, and spunk to the team. If no one remembers me, that's fine. I didn't do much. My mom probably did more as she sewed costumes endlessly for 4 straight years. But maybe things I did like the two claps, the awkward hip bumps across the stage, and the beached whale will live on for years to come.


Ballroom gave me self confidence. It allowed me to say, "screw everyone else, I'm going out of my comfort zone and being the star of the show today." I could care less what people think of me these days, all thanks to forcing myself to dance as skankily as possible. It was a good thing.

Where it all began. Social dance in 7th grade.

Only 3 of us still dance.

Look what I found. 

Me and Mr. Purser.

 Chinese Latin Medley.

8th grade Advanced team.

My first THS ballroom company performance/competition right after I was added to JV two weeks into school.

Typical hanging out at Chase's house after a concert.

Sophomore year tour to Idaho.

Traditional team gathering at Burger Supreme after concerts

Love this girl. 

Girls pigging out in the dressing room.

Winter concert 2010

Team dinner before Nationals 2011

Morp with my BFF.

Varsity Ballroom group. Morp 2011

Student choreography night 2011. 

Die Another Day.

Soul Sister!

(before the ballroom was painted)

4th place Standard Division I with Tia and Marie 

Nationals 2011

Varsity Tour to California 2011.

I wanna be like her. 

1st place Latin Division II. 

The best JV there EVER was.

Nationals 2010 with Craig and Brittney.

\

Team yard sale. We bought our daughter/mascot, Sheela. 

The three amigos. 

Floor time for Matrix

Our first time having black ponytails. 

Nationals 2010

One of my favorite pictures ever. 

Our reaction when JV standard made division I

"do the Rachel"

Thunderball 2011. We swept. 

I do this a lot. 

Miss her tons. 

Roomies on St. George tour 2011

Last Thunderball take down. 1 am.

Best friends come to each others concerts

Varsity retreat.

Long rehearsals.

Winners.

Varsity choreography camp 2010

5th place in Lindy

Blowing the competition away at Idaho 2012.

Varsity argentine tango girls.

We live for sketchiness.

Rumba skanks

We just happen to be national champions. NBD.

Mangeant 2012

Seniors at Nationals 2012

Idaho tour roomies 2012

Division I dancers. Latin AND standard.

Assemblies are the woooorrrst. 

When you're the best of friends.

team pictures 2011

The real life Jungle Safari.

Bear World. Idaho tour 2010

competitions are exhausting

First time competing open in my new dress :)

That hurt. A lot. 

Alumni and seniors.

The people I should have danced with :)

Typical bruises with fishnet markings.

Chase's idea to have me on tour.

Nationals 2012

Your favorite wenches.

My favorite standard hair ever.

Senior number outfit. Morphing my 2 worlds!

Standard team after awards.

Oh ya know. Just team match.

Before our last concert ever.