Lights are shining everywhere.  Music is blasting in the background.  Dancers

are everywhere practicing their dances before going on stage.  The excitement is

growing at the thought of going to my first solo dance competition.  This was my

first year competing in a dance competition with a solo.  I got very shaky just

thinking about being up on the stage in front of all of these people, who are

watching only me.  This solo is going to be one of the most difficult things that I

have ever done in my life.

     Today was the day of the competition.  I walked into the auditiorium, where

beautiful music was playing, and a dancer was performing her solo on the stage.

My dance teacher walked over to me and said "It's time to go get ready!"  I head

to the cafeteria and place my things on the table.  "Time to put your make-up on"

says my dance teacher.  I pull out my make-up and start applying it.  I look into

the mirror and see a different person.

     I see the stage manager coming toward me.  When she approaches, she

asks "Are you Number 12?"  I respond by saying "Yes."  She replies by saying

"You are on in fifteen numbers."  This was when I really started to get sick to my

stomach.  I know that now I need to get dressed into my costume.  After getting

dressed, I head out into the hallway to practice my number.

     While I am practicing my solo in the hallway, I can see other dancers

practicing their routines.  It makes me ill because everyone is really good.  This

means the pressure is definitely on.  I can't mess up.  I am definitely shaking

now.

     The stage manager came back out and said "It's time for numbers ten, eleven

and twelve to head backstage."  My dance teacher and I head backstage.

Backstage, I can see the lights shining on the stage.  They are shining like a star

in the sky.  I can hear the competitor's music playing and the dancer beautifully

on stage.

     At this point, I don't have a lot of courage to get out there and perform at my

best.  My teacher notices and tells me to take a deep breath and to think

positive.  "You can do this." she says.  I take a deep breath and say "I can do

this."  This is where my courage was brought out from inside of me.  Dancing is

what helps me to forget about everything else, and the courage to perform to my

best ability.

     I get myself ready in the wings and wait for my music to start.  I am shaking

so bad and feel ill.  I take a deep breath and tell myself I can do this.  I finally

hear the announcer call my name.  I walk out onto the stage and pose.

Everyone is staring at me.  I am shaking, but then all of a sudden, my music

starts; and I start dancing.  There are three judges.  Judge one has curly hair and

is dancing in his seat.  Judge two has short hair and is smilling, and judge three

has a hat on and is talking into a microphone.  I end in a beautiful pose and deep

down I knew I nailed it.  I forgot about everything else that was going on around

me and just danced my heart out and had fun.  I did not let the fear take over.

     I believe that if I don't dance, I wouldn't have the courage that I have today.

Having the courage to go up on stage and perform my solo helped me in other

situations, like giving presentations in school, speaking in front of a crowd, or

having to lead the tennis team.  It has not only made me a better leader, but also

a better person because of the courage that I have gained.