Dear Soloist,

As we go into the last solo event of the year, just a few thoughts from me.

We are so proud of you for taking this journey.   It is hard to put yourself out there.   It takes courage to get up on that stage and have to carry yourself.

My wish for you is that you realize this....YOU HAVE ALREADY WON.  You have taken this huge step, which so many are too afraid to do. I want you to ask yourself if you feel you have gotten better for having tackled the task of doing a solo?  You have had to stay after, work harder and put yourself out there.   That is a success!!

It is so important to support one another's successes.  Know there will be days when you come out higher and other days when you don't.  Whenever you are in a judged sport it can be very fickle.  You know how you feel you did.  In a judged sport it's important to not put all your stock in one place.  

I love this paragraph written by Theodore Roosevelt. 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Take on this event with pride!  Be proud of entering.   With pride in your comrades!! 

Cheer on each and every entrant.  Be great sports.  Support your teammates.  Make us proud of our dancers by how you act in the chute, in the hall, and during awards.  

Wishing you the best.  

Coach Clough