5,6,7,8 and My Future Callie Garrett

My body felt as if it had run a hundred miles in 98 degree weather. I was standing in a blazing hot room surrounded by bright lights. An overwhelming feeling of fatigue filled my body. The room was surrounded by mirrors, so I couldn’t escape from myself for even a minute. A blanket of sleep fell over me. “That wasn’t good enough; you’re not trying your hardest!” my instructor said. A loud sigh permeated the room. The music started. I knew I would have to start moving. “Five, six, seven, eight!” my instructor shouted, and after she yelled “eight”, I pushed through the pain I felt and began to dance.

The sport and art of dancing has given me more strength, not simply physical strength, but also mental strength. I started dancing at seven years old, so from the start, people have trained me to push through that overbearing feeling of not wanting to do something I need to do. This has given me the ability to choose homework over television, studying over napping, or even celery over pizza!

Dance is an excellent way to learn; learn to learn quickly, learn to adapt to change, learn to listen, learn to watch, learn to pay attention, and learn to discipline myself. Dancing has also always given me confidence. With the Friday night...