Going into Comp #2

Going into our second competition of the season, I think the biggest thing I’ve been noticing isn’t really the dances, but the people.

Competition weekends can get stressful pretty fast, but somehow the studio never really feels like what it is when you’re in it. It’s loud, a bit chaotic, everyone’s running around, but there’s always someone helping fix a costume, going over choreography one more time, or just making you laugh when you’re starting to get in your head.

I feel like that’s something you don’t really think about when you’re younger. You focus on your dances, your own nerves, your own schedule. But now I notice how much everyone actually looks out for each other. Whether it’s wishing someone good luck before they go on stage, clapping from the wings, shedding tears at their final solos, or just sitting, eating lunch in between numbers.

Going into this next comp, I think that’s what I appreciate the most. It’s not just about performing better than last time, it’s about doing it together. Because it is a team sport and you can feel the difference when everyone’s supporting each other instead of stressing on their own.

And honestly, those are the parts that stick with you way more than score or placements. The random conversations backstage, the last-minute pep talks, the way everyone shows up for each other without even thinking about it.