Kaeli made Rosette's!!!!

There are not even enough words to describe the two VERY LONG weeks of drill team tryouts.  It about gave me an ulser.  The first week was a clinic to help the girls get ready for tryouts.  At the end of the week there is a manatory parent meeting.  You are not allowed to tryout if a parent doesn't show up and pick up a packet which has special forms to fill out which are necessary to walk in the door on tryout day.  The parent meeting was to explain the obligations required for drill team participation and the HUGE financial commitment which was enough to choke on.  After I started breathing again,  I looked at my daughter and wondered if this was worth it.  It didn't take long to see the absolute desire of my forever dancing daughter.  She never stops- she is always dancing around the house and everywhere else we go. She loves the Rosette's because they have MANY outfits, boots, hats, and everything else that sparkles like the sunshine and she wants everyone of them.  So, I did what moms do and put on my brave smile and drove her to every practice and more practice and private lessons and technique training hoping it would be enough.  I was so glad when the try-out day arrived.  It was a 7 hours ordeal.    They put them into groups to do their routines which were on a 100 point scale.  You have to earn an 81 or above to make the team.  106 girls tried out.  They were scored and then had to wait for everyone else to finish.  When that was done they lined the girls up in the gym with two rows of 50+ and placed an envelope behind them with the decision.  If they made it they were given a blue paper that said "CONGRATULATIONS" or if you didn't they gave you back your score sheet so you could see where you need to improve.  You had to open the envelope right there because if you made the team then there was a meeting right after.

I can't even describe the emotional charge in that gym.  40 girls were crying because they didn't make it and the others were screaming and dancing around because they did make.  It just wasn't right they way that all happened but I tried to focus on Kaeli and had her in my sights.  She couldn't get her envelope opened and I lost her amongst the screaming girls who already had their's open.  I saw her leap and hoped that it was good news.  Those few seconds seemed to last forever and I thought I was going to throw up.  She was crying and jumping and I finally got the happy yes!  A flood of relief washed over me.  That moment made every hour of driving and sacrifice worth it.  I was so proud of her as she came running over to give me a big hug (also very worth it!)  She was one of 9 freshman that made the team.  It's very hard to do and she was terrific!

The waiting game!

One very happy girl with a pink poster!!

Sidenote- for the girls that made the team they put these posters around their necks and paraded them around the gym.  I also found this very wrong.   I felt sorry for the girl's who didn't make it which was one of Kaeli's really good friends.  How are you supposed to celebrate your own success without hurting those you love.

The freshman girls!

Kaeli, Jessie, & Rachel!