Memorable Moments

Prompt 1: What is the one piece of advice that you have been given that really stuck with you?
Prompt 2: Describe one of the most memorable moments in your life.
Prompt 3: If you were to be a color, which would you be and why?

Prompt 2:

I have had lots of memorable moments in my life, many of which have been with my dance family. The one that sticks out the most in my mind was when I won first overall in the 13-15 superstar solos. I was 15, so I was at the top of the age bracket, but after five years of competing solos, I had finally won. It was April of freshman year, and my studio was going to the wild and wonderful West Virginia for Star Systems. Solos were on Friday night, so I had to miss school. I went to 1st and 2nd hour and then left for the three or four hour car ride, I honestly don't remember because I slept the entire time. Once we got there, we checked into our hotel room and then went over to the auditorium. I am a little superstitious and have not necessarily a ritual, but things that calm me down. I have this playlist that is nothing but Beyonce and Lady Gaga, and I enjoy blasting it while I stretch. I don't watch other competitors even my friends, and some people say that is rude, but is psychs me out. It is easy to get inside my head, but more often than not I am the one who gets inside my own head. I honestly don't remember how my solo went that night because I blacked out on stage, not literally though. After I performed my second solo, it was time for awards. I remember that I was wearing my dress from my second solo, my dance jacket, and the font on the jacket makes my name look like Maty Austin Hacket, and my gray Toms because I wanted to appease my mom and not go barefoot. They started of with adjudications, and my solo got a platinum. Then they announce the first place category winner. I was in the 13-15 contemporary category and won the category. After all that is the overall awards. It never crossed my mind that I was even in the running for overalls because there were some really talented people. They announced tenth through sixth and those girls all received high golds and at that moment it dawned on me that I was at least in the top five. Then they announced fifth, fourth, third and it was all people that were in my category. Then once they announced second and it wasn't me, and I didn't want to start thinking I won and not win. Then finally the announcer goes, "and our 13-15 superstar overall winner is contestant (whatever number I was) What I've Done." I kinda stood there for a little bit and then walked out in shock. I was completely not expecting it. I won a jacket, trophy, 100 dollars of registration to SHOOK the intensive, and 75 dollars in cash, which my mom used towards my competition fees. When I came off stage, the first thing I said was, "Where is my mom?" Once I finally found her, I gave her the biggest hug ever and said, "Did you notice I wore shoes this time?" Winning first overall at regionals, is not that big of an accomplishment but it was the confidence boost I needed. Since then I got second at the next regionals, most talented non finalist in the Teen Miss Dance of Ohio title competition, 8th and 5th in the 16 and over age category. I would not have been able to achieve all this without the confidence that winning gave me.