I'm typing this on my way home from my first finals performance. It was crazy, we had our most amazing performance, and the venue was crazy. It looked like one of those warehouses that people throw raves in, there was lights and music going with a big arena on the floor with the soundsport logo in the middle. Not to mention the risers around the stadium for people to watch us. We even took home silver, I remember my body reacting in shock and Kayla was so happy for us, she gave me a hug. The jokes that everyone made as we were expected to play the soundsport anthem, no one really likes the organization, and the jokes of "oh shit I hope you guys have the music" because no one actually knew the anthem. I got to see elliot again, it was so amazing being able to hang out with friends from the activity. It's such a weird feeling in my chest. I used spirit to push me past the summer of 2015 and I never would have imagined that I would become such a part of the DCI community. Being able to see people from different corps and just have a common ground. I got to see Mac, Ian, Booker, and Haroun again. I'm so happy for them, I can't wait for audition season, and they want me back. Honestly, I can't think of how to really describe this feeling. Riding back in a squished van with the Appalachian Sound kids, going through the horribly bumpy roads of Indy and thinking about how ready I am to audition for spirit again. This next year I will be undeniable. I will show them that I came back stronger than ever before, and that they won't discourage me. I'm excited to see my spirit family again, to finally be with the organization that gave me something to fight for. But I will miss some of the moments I made with my corps, between the dabbing, meme sharing, and all of that. I gave this season my everything. I will grow to be better. Even if it takes me until my age out, I will be with spirit. No matter who bullies me for it and tells me how much they think spirit sucks. Because the activity is not REALLY about the scores. It's about spending three months with 149 other people who want to make something great. It's about the family you make, the memories and the stories that you can bring home. This activity is about creating relationships that will last you throughout your whole life. On that note, while I'm semi-emotional. I'm glad that I found all the '15 vets that I could and told them my story. Of why they mean so much to me. And I met Sean, a '14 vet and thanked him for inspiring me. Spirit was one of the first corps I remember from my first year to DCI, and it helped plant the seed in my head that I wanted to march. All throughout my career spirit has been somewhere in there, leading me, guiding me. And I will be forever grateful for it. I can't wait to call it my home. Rookie year: 2016 Bluecoats beat BD. Here's to 2017.
