Remember when Winnie the Pooh said, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” Well, that quote hit home for me a couple weeks ago.
On Sunday, March 28, I had my last Dance Ensemble show, Spring Finale, here at Sacred Heart. From my first day at Sacred Heart, people told me to enjoy it because it goes by fast… but nobody warned me it would go by this fast.
I remember being a freshman; it was my first week at SHU, and I was going to my first dance meeting of the year in the Edgerton. When I tell you I was petrified, I was petrified. I did not know anybody at all, and I was a scared freshman walking into the doors of the Edgerton for the first time. Little did I know that day would change the next four years of my college career.
Since I committed to the dance program, my life has changed. Yes, I know it is corny to say, but it is absolutely the truth. I was a different person, a different dancer, a different choreographer and a different performer before I joined the Dance Ensemble.
I am so thankful and blessed to be able to say that this program has created a family for me over the last four years. I genuinely do not know how I could have gotten through the last four years without being a part of the Dance Ensemble. I have been presented endless opportunities and experiences, and have grown so much as a person and a dancer. I could not have had this amazing experience without the powerful, inspirational, determined woman herself, Kari Williams, the Director of Dance.
Coming into the dance program as a freshman in 2017, I never knew how much this program would change my life. Being away from home, I instantly had a family within this program. I was given friends that will last me a lifetime and moments that I could have never imagined. It is the most welcoming, supportive and inspirational dance family I have ever had. I am incredibly lucky to have been supported by such great dancers who have pushed me to grow as a dancer and person.
I will never be able to express the gratitude I have for the Dance Ensemble and every dancer, choreographer and influential person I have crossed paths with because of this program. This program is what I will miss the most when I graduate after being blessed with the greatness this program has offered me over the last four years. Sacred Heart University Dance Ensemble for life.
