The Big Day

Have you ever heard the roar of a hundred people screaming your name, not because you’re the best, but solely because you’re number one in their hearts? Have you ever felt the adrenaline course through your veins as you feel your heart pound in your ears? It isn't always about being the fastest, or the prettiest, or the best: sometimes it’s simply about doing what you love.



March 5, 2011. I wake up excited and jittery, yet surprisingly refreshed. This is it. I think to myself. This is the big day. I throw the covers off, roll out of bed, and trudge downstairs to eat some breakfast. Ah. Pop tarts and milk. Breakfast of champions. I sit down at the breakfast bar to check Facebook while I eat. Hmm. Nothing particularly interesting today. I write happy birthday on the walls of a few friends.



I finish eating and power down my laptop. I head back up the stairs to finish getting ready. I love my uniform; I get more and more excited every time I put it on. Especially on a day like today. A day that I have been working towards for six grueling months. I stroll over to the bathroom to pull my hair up. First, I put in a high ponytail, then I pull it through into a bun. I pick up my hairpiece and find the combs. I've done this so many times now I don’t even have to look. Three bobby pins later and it’s in. Ah, perfect. I’m finally satisfied. I quickly put on some mascara and a dusting of blush and I’m ready to go. I run back over to my room, grab my gym bag, shoes, and socks, and dash down the stairs. “I’m ready.” I call to my mom.



We hop in the car and head up to the high school to catch the bus with the rest of the team. I wave goodbye to my mom, and she tells me good luck. I walk inside and up the stairs to the locker room. I greet the rest of the girls and we load up the bus. We’re off. The bus ride is full of laughter and singing as we all get pumped up for our big day. I can’t believe this is finally it.



An hour later we pull up at Southern Fulton High School. We unload and find our designated waiting area. The rest of the day is a blur of warm-ups, rehearsals, and pictures. We watch the elementary and junior high teams compete first and sit with them as they wait for their results. They both place second out of three schools. Everyone clears out of the gym and each team completes one last run-through. We’re all nervous but we band together and give it our all. This is the last practice. This is the last chance. We go back to our waiting area and try to relax. Finally it’s time to put it all out there and impress the judges.



“Give it up for the Everett Warriors!” That’s our cue. Energies are running high as we run out onto the mat and take our places. Everyone waits, hardly daring to breathe, for the music to start. The room is painstakingly quiet. I can hear the shallow breath of every member of the audience. The music starts and we spring into action. We move about the floor, a blur of limbs and motion. The next thing I know, it’s over. It is one of the single most exhilarating experiences of my life.