The stands were packed with people, it was slowly starting to get dark causing the stadium lights to flicker on while the time clock counted down the second until game time.
I was sitting next to my team, make up all done, wearing the Ottawa High School dance uniform proud watching my football team play.
I was a sophomore in high school when I first joined the Ottawa High School dance team. It had been my dream since I was a little girl to be on the dance team since dance had always been something I loved to do; and here I was finally about to perform for the first time.
As half time grew closer my anxiety started to increase. All the normal questions went running through my head including: What if I mess up? What if everyone laughs at me? What if I am not good enough?
Finally, the clock reached the three minute mark before half time, meaning it was time to walk to the other side of the track to prepare to perform for half time.
The walk around the track seemed like miles. Everyone was joking with one another, excited to perform besides me. I just could not stop thinking about how nervous I was.
We reached the other side of the track and circled up to pray for a good performance. Of course I said my own little prayer when the captain was praying; praying that I would do okay and the coach would not regret putting me on the team.
We got set up in our formation so when the buzzer rang we could just walk on right to our spots. My palms started to sweat as I watched the clock slowly dwindle down to half time.
The time had come, I was about to perform my very first performance as a Cyclonette! We walked onto the field as a team, listening to the captain say “5,6,7,8…” so we knew when to hit our beginning positions.
The music started over the loud speaker, filling the stadium. I started off strong with a big smile on my face; hearing people from the stands call out my name as I did my favorite thing in the world.
My adrenaline kicked in and before I knew it the dance was over. Standing in my ending formation, breathing heavy, grinning from ear to ear knowing I did an amazing job.
Walking off the field the stadium was still cheering for us. Our coach was very impressed with us, so impressed in fact she gave us the rest of the game to ourselves instead of sitting with the team.
Needless to say, performing at my first football game is a feeling and memory I will never forget. I can still feel my peers telling me how good I looked out there and how the dance team is their favorite part of the football games. It was a good feeling knowing how much support I had.
I have danced at many football games since then but nothing could ever compare to my first game. My first college football game came close, but it just was not the same as the first time I felt that rush of adrenaline that made me feel invincible.
