His father would tell him if you are awake enough to go to the dance, you are awake enough to go to work. Sacrifices had to be made many times to help his family out on the farm. In high school, I gave up parties and Sweet Sixteen s to go to competitions and practice. I would feel left out of things with my school friends, but dancing was like another life for me. I know that my sacrifices that seemed to be a huge deal to me were nothing compared to how my Grandpa lives and how he grew up, but he is proud of the fact that I work so hard for something I want.
Most dancers are hard working, because they want to do well.
Dancing people seemed completely different from my high school friends. We have a special bond that makes us closer. We understand what one another is going through before, during, and after competitions. No one else can understand the nervous feeling when you walk into the hall the morning of your solo, that feeling that eats away at your stomach when you see the big envelope and you know that your results are in there. We cry tears of joy together, and comfort each other when we lose.