I've said this time and time again, but I will always be true. Dance concerts are the highlights of my school year and I feel completely honored to be able to participate in my third dance concert performance last night and tonight.

There are times when I take my role in my dance class for granted, but it is the concert that makes me realize that my hard work really does pay off. Hours upon hours of work and sweat in an audition, then being able to share the stage with all these other amazing dances... I don't know what is better. Especially now that I know how much hard work it really takes to choreograph your own dance and have to perform it on stage. Whether or not people noticed how much we screwed up, we fucking killed it. I put my heart out on that stage.

Sadly, this concert is also the seniors' last dance concert at school. I remember the first dance concert I attended, the one dance that I remember is Clay and Kelley's. I remember telling Danielle "I can't stand being in the audience, I want to be on that stage." So thank you, Clay. Thank you so much for inspiring me to join the dance program. I doubt I will ever get to tell you that, but you are the reason I applied for beginning dance for my sophomore year. Thank you for being the one that helped me start this all off. Maybe one day I'll get to tell you... hopefully.

Every single senior this year, to the ones I've become friends with to the ones I've admired from afar, you all have inspired me to try my hardest. Ann, Renee, Sylvia, you three all started out just like me, a sophomore in beginning dance. Now each of your are in Advanced and after this month, moving on from your high school career. You three give me the hope that I can and will improve with time. You each have inspired me to try my hardest whether it is just a small dance in class or performing to a full house of friends and family. I could never thank you enough for what you've helped me do.

To the girls and guys in beginning dance. You may have annoyed me to the point where I wanted to punch you, but I truly wish that each one of you tries to take dance once again. It is such a rewarding class, physically and mentally. You make friends and memories that you will cherish for years to come. Do not take what you get for granted. I understand that the dances are not as sophisticated as you wish them to be, but what matters is that you perform with all you got, whether you only have one dance, or five. To Danielle, Sarah, and Joey... I am immensely proud to have been able to share the stage with you three. Having my friends cheer my on from backstage and sidestage is as rewarding as hearing my name being shouted out in the crowd. I love you three and I cannot wait for another dance concert.

To my Intermediate Dance Class, you guys have become my family this year. From everything we've been through, that one hour in class means the world to me. Going to dance every day was my escape from the world outside that door. Whatever troubles I had, whatever problems I had to deal with, I left it outside. Thank you for sharing that world with me. To Rochelle, Megan, Emily, Kayla, Tiffany, Ploy, and Cheyenne, you girls prove to me that I can have a true family. I never felt accepted unless I was with you. Thank you so much for being there with me. I really do love you all.

Finally, to Ms. L. Thank you for seeing the potential in me. Not only just accepting me into beginning dance, but also believing that I could make it in Intermediate. Thank you for taking Swagger Jagger/Detention in the concert. You are my favorite teacher on campus and always will be.

This years dance concerts are over... and I have one more year to go. I will make it count.