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Preparing for Competition Season & All It’s Benefits

Preparing for Competition Season & All It’s Benefits
By Miss Janelle
When I was younger I always used to tell people I loved competition dance because of the time I spent with my dance family & that feeling when you walk off stage knowing you performed the absolute best. You could feel the energy and passion with your teammates and I always thought that was the greatest thing. As I have grown older, I realize all the things you receive being a competitive dancer.

Competition weekends teach you so much, most of the time when you are not on stage. Waking up at 5:00a to support teammates, helping someone during a quick change, getting back on stage after a big mistake, cheering for every routine even when you don’t get the results you hoped for; all these small moments make big impacts in the type of people we become. You learn to push through the pain, exhaustion, or embarrassment, to support every dancer for being brave enough to share their talent, and that it’s not all about you all the time. You learn your parents are the greatest and they sacrifice beyond belief for you, that your teachers love and care about each of you as if you are their own, and your teammates are forever friends.

But we learn the most during all the hours, days, and months spent preparing for these small moments.

Sacrifice
Dedication
Work Ethic
Passion
Attention to Detail
Drive
Teamwork
Supporting Others
Never Give Up Attitude

The list goes on and on. Giving up on other opportunities to show up to rehearsals and classes, practicing at home even when you are tired, helping another dancer during a rehearsal, dancing full out even at the end of a long day. These moments are what creates leaders in the community and schools, honors students, early college graduates, and entrepreneurs.

The trophies, pins, crowns, and plaques all end up in someone’s basement somewhere, but the person you become stands front and center for the rest of your life.

So the next time you are in a rehearsal, sitting at home, or contemplating missing a class: think of all the things you want to gain out of a competition team and push yourself to make it happen.

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