Mr. Harrison retires

Band was a huge memory for me in High School. I went to Sequoyah High School, I was in band and marched all 4 years of High School on the Drumline. Those memories I will always remember. Band practice, band camp, football games, percussion class, drumline practice, traveling to away game on the bus, band competition, fundraisers, friends, etc.

I had the same Band Director, Mr. David Harrison, all 4 years and he was a really great leader. I really respected him and just cherished my band experience. He is planning to retire at the end of the school year, so they put together a huge retirement program and party for him at the school.

The program and presentations were nicely done. It was also nice to see a lot of faces I haven't seen in a while. Afterward, there was a reception. They had a book to sign for him and a line so we all got a chance to talk to him one on one briefly. The booster club was also selling these "Harryisms" t-shirts. On the back of the shirt were phrases I'd heard all through High School so I had to get one. Thought I'd share some of my favorites:

Life According to Harry:

Attitude is everything.
One person can and does make a difference.
Work hard, play hard.
On time is late.
Bigger is not better - better is better.
Help others.
Find work that is meaningful.
Listen and learn from others.
Don't turn the music down - feel the rhythm and the lyrics.
It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
You know more than you think.
You can always get a standing ovation by pulling out a giant American flag.
Choose battles that count.
The best is yet to be.
What goes around comes around.
Lead, follow or get out of the way.

-David E. "Harry" Harrison

Ok, that was actually all of them. They are all so good. Anyway, I thought this was worthy of a post.

Atlanta Dream Shooting Star

I decided to audition for the WNBA Atlanta Dream Shooting Stars Cheer Team. I have missed performing for a crowd and wanted an opportunity to dance on a professional team. The Dream plays in Philips Arena and basically has a summer season. It runs April- August/Sept so it wouldn't conflict with my commitment to KSU Dance Team.

I went to a prep clinic and Q&A session one night to decide if I liked their style and it was something I wanted to do. I decided so. So, on April 18th I auditioned. I made it through prelims and semi's and made it to finals! With each cut came new choreography.

The following week consisted of Monday the 19th- interview, boot camp and choreography; Tuesday the 20th- boot camp and choreography, Wed the 21st- final audition. And I am proud and excited to say that I made the team! It was a great feeling to prepare, go through the process and make it. I haven't been on a team in 5 years. Tom came to support me as well as a couple of my dancers from KSU (they surprised me). My dancers came stocked with signs and were definitely loud. I really appreciated the support on my behalf.



Here is the first team picture after we all made the team. My old coach from KSU, Sandra, made it back on the team. We were even in the same audition pair for the routine! That in itself was awesome.


So now, I'll be dancing at all of the WNBA Atlanta Dream basketball games in Philips Arena. Looking forward to the experience. Come to the games!

Church Basketball

Tom plays church basketball every week with his buddies. This year they brought back the church basketball tournament for the Marietta East Stake. It was really fun to see Tom play. He did great! The Kennesaw Ward even won the final game tonight :) Champs. We took a picture but I'm not sure where it is. They got a framed certificate. It's all in fun but I know the guys were excited and playing it up.

Co. Dance

I love this time of year! I was able to work Co. Dance again this year in Greenville, SC. It is a dance convention and the staff/dance faculty is amazing. Every year for the past 4 or so years, I've been able to work it and every year I come back inspired.

It runs Friday-Sunday and it's filled with dance company competitions, showcases, faculty classes for students and teachers, meetings, an audition, etc. I come to work and just help the faculty/staff run the event.

This year, was filled with adventures and great times. A couple of the faculty this year was Barry Youngbloog (amazing hip hop instructor), Greg Russell (tapping extraordinaire) and Lauren Gottlieb (fantastic contemporary dancer/instructor, also from SYTYCD). I had worked around Barry and Greg before but just met Lauren. She was awesome and really cool to be around.

There was this sushi place that was amazing, we ate there twice. One night, Ashley (my friend working the convention with me) and I ran into Barry and Greg at the restaurant. They asked what we were doing and that we should hang out. We end up going back and hanging out with them and Lauren (who came after her master class that night) and ended up in the Blue Martini, a dance club and bar. It was right next door to the sushi place, in the basement of this pub. It was apparently the place to be. It got packed! It was fun dancing and seeing the faculty in a different element.

Ashley is on the far right and I'm next to Barry. Lauren and Greg aren't in this picture.


We were exhausted the next day, but it was worth it. I loved taking dance class all weekend and helping with everything. I look forward to it every year!

27

I am now 27 years old. Honestly, I don't feel old so I guess I'm ok with it. It has been a good day. I started the day off judging a Dance Competition in Peachtree City, GA and then spent the rest of the day with my Tom. Nothing too crazy, which was needed.

I've reflected on this past year. It was full of LIFE...ups, downs, good times and the bad but I am grateful to have lived and experienced another year. Always at the end of the day, I am truly blessed.

Here's to the next!

Atlantic Sun Basketball Tourney

Tom and I are really into KSU Athletics. I work there as the Spirit Coordinator for Athletics (over Spirit Cheer, Dance Team and Mascot) and Head Coach the Dance Team. Tom does the music and sound for Basketball games.

KSU Athletics Basketball made the transition from D-II to D-I in 2005-2006. Since then, due to the probationary period when switching divisions, we haven't been eligible for the tournament. But this year we are! Both our Men's and Women's team made it to the tournament and played 3 days in a row on the 3rd, 4th and 5th. It was held at Mercer. It was so awesome and was a great start to what will come in the following seasons after this.

Go Owls!

Leah & Kerry Thompson

My big sis, Leah got engaged to Kerry Thompson on December 17. 2009, the day Kerry got back from Basic Training with the National Guard. He planned the whole thing with my mom, who helped pull it off. We all knew, except for Leah :) With Kerry entering AIT in Augusta shortly after, reporting January 2, 2010, Leah and Kerry decided after much thought and prayer to wed New Year's Day 2010. It was a small, beautiful and intimate ceremony held at my parents home. Kerry will be graduating from AIT mid May. So needless to say, there wasn't much time to plan things but everything turned out so perfectly and wonderful.

Right after the proposal.


I threw a Bachelorette party for Leah and it was soo fun!


I also made them matching shirts. So cute :)



The wedding day.


Picture with the family (Laura is here in spirit since she's currently on her mission in Brazil).


Thanks to Bev who decorated their car so nicely.