Gig ’Em!
College… I knew it was coming, but throughout my senior year, I didn’t think it would ever really be time. I was so focused on all the “last times,” that the thought of moving five hours away had slipped my mind. Sure, I would think about it occasionally, but the reality of it did not actually set in until I finished my summer job working at Williams Memorial Day School. I hugged all my three-year-olds one last time, and I realized this was my first “goodbye.”
In March, I was sitting in Cool Tanz, waiting to get my spray tan for the Miss PGHS pageant. I looked at my email and saw a “Congratulations!” email from Texas A&M University in College Station. It took everything in me to not go crazy, considering I was in a public place. My first thought was, “I have to Facetime Zach,” not my parents, but my brother. Of course, I sent them a screenshot of the email, but I was more excited to tell my brother that I would be able to go to the same college as him. The thought of going to the same school as Zach adds excitement to going away. We have always had a tight relationship, and he is honestly my best friend. I will live three houses down from him. That has comforted me and has helped calm my nerves about being five hours from my parents and all I have known. I really don’t know who is more excited about being in College Station together next year, him or me.
For as long as I can remember, my dream has been to go to Texas A&M University and be on the Aggie Dance Team. When I got my acceptance letter, there was no doubt in my mind where I would attend in the fall. It also meant I could pursue my dream of trying out for the dance team. I have danced since I was two and a half, so being on the team was always my goal.
Starting May 29, the day after graduation, and the days that followed, I spent at least an hour and a half in the Showstopper gym or the Performing Arts Center, working on the skills needed for tryouts and choreographing my mini solos. There were several meltdowns, heart-to-hearts with my mom, and prayers sent up to God throughout the entire process because it was all becoming real. It was scary to think that what I had wanted since I was five was right in front of me. After a month of preparation, I got the email saying I had made it to the in-person finals. Walking into Reed arena with 41 other girls who were all hoping for the same outcome, was one of the most intimidating things I have done. Although I was not one of the selected girls to be on the team, I was proud of myself for trying out and doing the best I could.
During the process, I told myself that everything is in God’s hands, and He will do what will be best for me in the end. I genuinely believe that the Lord used this experience to show me in my times of worry or trouble, I need to lean on Him and trust He will do what is best. If I hadn’t given it all to Him from the beginning, I probably would have been a wreck after finding out I didn’t make the team. I may have doubted myself and may not have even wanted to go to A&M anymore. That wasn’t the case. I was a little disappointed, but I was resigned and excited about getting to go and just experience college.
Once I was done with the tryout process, I got to focus on the fun things about going off-shopping and decorating my room and house. Luckily, there are too many incoming freshmen at A&M and not enough dorms, so I will live in a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath house with two of my best friends. I already had a vision of what I wanted with colors and the aesthetic, but now I could buy everything to help create my perfect room and bathroom. All my bedding and bathroom stuff was given to me as graduation gifts from family and friends, so all I really had to focus on was getting the decorations. Now, I may have bought too much and might have a lot of leftover decor, but I should definitely have what I need to create the vision in my head.
Getting ready to go off to a new school and city without my parents is nerve-racking, but I know they wouldn’t let me go if they didn’t think I was prepared. Through all the tears, freak outs, and worrying, I have taken this opportunity to strengthen my relationship with God. I have also learned how to look for the positive in every situation. Without following through with the tryout process, I wouldn’t have met so many girls and formed friendships. If I let the fear of not getting accepted to A&M overcome me, I would have never gotten to go to my dream school. Most importantly, though, if I had stayed in Texarkana, I wouldn’t get to go to college with my brother or go through these struggles that have pulled me closer to God.
Two things I will always remember are Romans 8:28, “And we know all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose,” and Gig ’em!
