As I write this letter, there are only two days left until my last dance recital. I sit here and reflect on my last eleven years as a dancer and how all of you have impacted me. There are many emotions; happiness, sadness, joy, thankfulness, and gratefulness. I feel as though it is appropriate to thank you all as I graduate.
To my teammates: Over the last eleven years, you have become my family. You have become sisters to me. We have created bonds that I believe will last a lifetime. We have watched each other grow and improve as dancers. We have traveled to competitions together. We have pushed each other to become the best we can be. We have seen each other at our best and our worst. We have confined in each other. We have become a family. A family that I will forever cherish. I couldn't have imagined the past eleven years without you all by my side and I thank you for making my senior year one of my favorite years of dance by far.
To my dance moms: To my own dance mom and others, I could not have made it through the past eleven years without you. From helping me with my makeup to doing my hair, to pinning and sewing my costumes, and supporting me, you have been there through it all. Thank you for all the photos, so that I can forever cherish the memories. You have all helped me with what I have needed over the years. And, to my own dance mom, thank you for dealing with my attitude on competition days and recital days. Thank you for letting me scream while you did my hair and cry while you put my makeup on, or get mad when you stabbed my scalp with bobby pins to secure my wigs and hair pieces. But most importantly, thank you for being my number one dance mom and supporting me through it all. I couldn't have made it where I am today without all my dance moms. I won't name you all because there are so many, but you know who you are. Thank you for accepting me as your daughter.
To my fellow seniors: Danika, Alexis, and Katie, our time has come. We are about to end our final year at dance. Crazy, huh? Danika, dance is what started our friendship. I remember in second grade we both found out we were dancing at Dance Images and for the past eleven years, we have done it side by side. I couldn't imagine a better person to have choreographed all those silly dances to when we were younger or someone to laugh until I cry with at almost every dance class. Alexis, you were my first friend on the competition team. Who would have thought eating chicken nuggets in a dressing room could lead to one of the best friendships I have? I couldn't imagine a better duet partner my senior year or for a more amazing best friend during dance. Katie, we have been in the "Tuesday Comp." for as long as I can remember, and now we are competing at the World Dance Championships. I am thankful that we get to spend a couple more months together even though dance is ending. I am so grateful for such an amazing teammate to compete with. So, to all three of you: Thank you for all the memories, the laughs, the tears, and the friendships over the past eleven years. I love you guys.
To my students: Over the past four years, I have become a teacher and mentor to many of you at the studio. You have all impacted my life in an extremely positive way. Coming into a teaching role is one of the best decisions that I have made by far. You have filled my days at the studio with laughter and many memories. I know that at times I am tough on you and sometimes I get a tad bit grumpy, but sometimes you need the tough love. I know this because, at every competition and recital, you girls shine on stage after all your hard work all year. I get teary-eyed every time you girls perform. It is really hard to think that this is my last recital with you girls. I wish I could have another four years with you, but sadly I can not. So, as I say goodbye, please know that you have brought so much joy into my life these past four years and I am going to miss you all more than you could ever imagine. I promise I will come back and visit you next year. Just remember that even though I am not there, I still want you to work just as hard and to shine even brighter on stage. I love you all!
And to my teachers: Ashley and Anne, two of the most important people in my life. The best dance teachers I could have been given the past eleven years. Anne, when I started in your hip hop class in seventh grade, I barely talked and I was extremely awkward. Now, I dance in your competition class and you have become not only a teacher but a friend to me. You are someone that I can go to for anything. I have vented to you and come to you for advice and you were always there. I can't believe this is my last year with you as a teacher. I will forever cherish all the memories we have made and all the laughs we had together. Ashley, where do I start? You are more than a dance teacher, you are a best friend and a second mother to me. I spend more time with you at the studio than I do at my own home. You have become so close to me and you are the hardest goodbye that I have this year. You have made me smile, laugh, cry, and even pee my pants a little. You have pushed me beyond my limits, seen my potential, given me countless opportunities as a dancer, and supported me for eleven years. I am so thankful for everything that we have done together and all the memories we have made together. I will forever be thankful for you. Both of you. I love you both.
So, thank you to everyone in my dance family that has had a positive impact on my dance career. You will never know how much I truly appreciate you all.
