Hi, friends.

First, I want to tell you all how very proud I am of all of you and your accomplishments. You guys danced so well at Sections. You were strong, powerful, graceful, and it looked like you guys were having the time of your lives. You seriously made me want to jump off of the bleachers and dance right along with you, as it looked like you guys were having so much fun. You drew me right into your routines with the first kicks and turns you executed, up to the point where I could almost feel the fire in your lungs and the energy that was beaming from your smiles. You guys have made it to State! That’s the coolest thing that you guys could ever accomplish together in one dance season. You guys literally kicked butt out there on the floor. You should all be proud of yourselves for your accomplishments this year; I know I am. I have some words of advice for all of you.

You guys deserve every medal that you get. You earned your way to the State Tournament through your hard work and dedication. Every single cardio work out, and cleaning session has led up to this moment. I know for a fact that you should not have a single worry come competition day. You guys are going to do great! Your turns are on, your leaps are higher than Tigger from Winnie the Pooh could ever bounce, and your facials are the best that they have ever been. You all are so ready to slay that dance floor, and trust me when I say this. I am brutally honest, and I wouldn’t say that unless I mean it. I am not going to lie to you guys; there will be stressful moments on this high-stakes day. Don’t let this stress get to you. Stress is no good. If stress ever attempts to get into your head and make you think bad thoughts, start thinking of me. I would be more than happy to beat up that stress for you and throw it in a trash can in Siberia so it would have no chance of coming back to bug you. I am and will always be supportive of you all. Just imagine me in a chicken suit doing the chicken dance or something weird like that. Laughter always gets rid of stress, and I would hope that the thought of that makes you laugh.

Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle. Not only are you guys amazing dancers, but you guys hold yourselves to the high standards of integrity, respect, and kindness. These are some true qualities that really shine through on and off of the dance floor. Don’t let any other team (you probably have an idea of which teams I am thinking of) take those qualities away from you. You guys work extremely hard for what you earn, so don’t let petty comments from other people get you down. You guys have to keep your heads held high and ignore them. Honestly, they are just jealous that they can’t act as cool as you guys. Take some advice from Willow Smith and “pay no attention to them haters / Because [you] whip ‘em off” and “just keep fighting until [you] get there. However, I would not suggest whipping your hair back and forth, as that may be hard to do with a bun in your hair. Of course, still be nice to your competition; you should cheer for them, and be supportive of their accomplishments. They work hard just like you. However, if they (or their fans) are mean, just ignore it! Words can never hurt you!

Also, have fun while you are dancing on that floor! You are dancing on the wolf. I am extremely jealous of all of you guys right now. You are going to love dancing on that floor, and you are not going to want to leave it once you are done. Sure you should probably focus on your choreography, but make sure you take in every moment while walking on, dancing, and stumbling off that floor. That floor is special. So many amazing dancers have danced on this floor, and you are joining those ranks. No matter if you get to dance once or twice, make sure you have the time of your life out there. Also, don’t let that floor scare you either. It may feel different than any other floor you dance on, but it is made out of the same wood and varnish that every other gym floor is made out of. It is your dancing on that floor that truly matters.

Finally, make sure you give yourself a chance to take in every moment in while you are there. Take a moment to look at yourself on the jumbo Tron, listen to your fans screaming your name, and take the moment to look up and see how many seats are in the Target Center. Here’s a hint: there are19,356 seats in that place. All of these seats are filled with dance fans who just can’t wait to watch you dance. Take in the smells of the hot dogs roasting in the concession stand, and the smells of sweat and hairspray in the dressing areas. Cherish the feelings of pure joy while you are dancing on the floor, and the feelings of anticipation while waiting for awards. Remember every last kick, Maui Wowi, and laugh that you share with your teammates. This is the last guaranteed day you get to spend with this group of girls. Love every moment that you have with them; you will miss them when they are gone.

Remember to make your last time be your best time. I love you all, and I can’t wait to watch you guys kill it at State.

Taylor