The world of dance growing up is definitely a challenging one. Having to come up with routines, deal with practice schedules, learn routines, pay for uniforms, go to performances, pretty much everything is a challenge! It is obviously always worth it in the end, but there are definitely a few things that can make all of those burdens a little easier to bear. One of those things is having a dance coach who doubles as a Varsity Spirit rep.

Now, for those of you who don't know what Varsity is, it's an organization that sells cheerleading and dance apparel, trains cheerleaders and dancers at educational camps and hosts cheerleading competitions. So, essentially, my dance coachs job, aside from being a coach, was to travel around Mississippi selling uniforms to other dancers and cheerleaders. Can you even begin to imagine the connections that creates?

Here are just a few of the perks:

1. Uniform Deals

We always got the best deal, or package. She always knew what was going to sell fast, what would be put on backorder, what pieces to put into what package so that we could get the most out of our money. It was great. She never wanted to break your bank but always wanted to make you look your best, which leads me to my next point.

2. What looks good

She has an eye for that kind of stuff. When looking through the catalogue, if you saw something you kind of liked but maybe in a different color, she didn't even have to put it into the computer to show you before she could tell you if it was tacky or not. When you create uniforms for teams all day everyday, you know what wins and what looks the best!

3. Knowledge of new deals

This almost goes hand in hand with number 1. She knows about new products before everyone else does and therefore can get it for you before it's sold out or becomes overused. She get's to see previews of the new products that Varsity is releasing so therefore you get to already have an idea of all of the new products you might want.

4. Connections

This one is probably my favorite. The connections that she has and therefore can give to you are endless. She knows every coach of every team in pretty much all of Mississippi and those connections can reflect back onto you. There's a Varsity fashion show she needs models for? She calls you. There's a coach that needs a routine choreographed? They call her and then she calls you. A coach needs a judge for an audition? They call her and then she calls you. She needs your help for a fitting? She calls you. You need her help with pretty much anything? You call her.

The perks of having this type of coach can go on for days. But in the end it's not about the materialistic perks, it really is just one huge blessing. Whether she worked for Varsity or not, I still had the best coach a dancer could ask for and am blessed to still call her a friend today. I wouldn't trade my years with my coach for anything!

Shoutout to you, MB, for being the best! #MaverettesForever