I was put into the sport of dance at a very young age because of my mother. My mother knew she wanted to put me into something because of how active and “crazy” I was around the house. My mom Heather was a dancer herself and loved the dance world, so she then decided she wanted to enroll me in my first class at Just for Kix at three years old to try it out and see if I would like it. Just for Kix was a local studio to me and where my older sister Skylar has gone to for just a few years at this point and really liked it. I continued to dance there up until the end of my 8th grade year where I then tried out to be on the Sartell Sabre Dance Team.
My mom has been my biggest supporter through it all. She sat and listened to me talk about my good and bad days and most importantly she gave me advice when I needed it the most. She drove me to every single practice, dance show and competition I had. She refused to miss a single one so she was really always there for me. Even when I was nervous she would be screaming my name from the crowd. I am forever grateful to have a mom like her who pushed me to do my best and not give up.
I have had the passion for dance since a very young age because of my sister Skylar. I would sit and watch my sister dance for hours a week and she would do the same for me. I looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. Every practice I went to of hers at the studio all the parents would come in and be able to watch them run the dance start to finish at the end of every class. I remember all her friends would ask the dance teacher if I was able to run my dance for everyone after they were done. I would get up in my pajamas and Ugg boots while our teacher would play my production song and come dance beside me. It was such a big moment for little me because I thought it was so cool seeing older girls and their parents just watching me. When I heard my sister was trying out for the dance team I was so excited. Even though she had her moments she was able to grow as a person and continue to love the sport. After that I went with my mom to every one of her dance shows and competitions…and I knew I wanted to be on that team one day.
After a long but very short 15 years.. It has finally come to an end. I wrapped up my last dance season on the SSDT this February. When I made the team my freshman year, I did not know what I was getting into when joining this team, but I would not trade it for the world. It taught me so many things dance related and real world related. I learned how I can do anything I put my mind to even though it is so easy for someone to just give up and stop but I was trained and taught that is so important to not. This sport made me so mentally and physically strong. We spent so much time shaping us and each other into the people we needed to be by the end of each season. There was so many times I wanted to give up but knew that I would never forgive myself for that then thought about how hard I have worked and for it to finally show off was so rewarding. My biggest dream after seeing my sister get rewarded with a medal at state her freshman year was to get one myself. Us seniors made it a mission to get to this goal. We refused to get down on ourselves but instead find what we can improve on for next time. Instead of saying “we could” or “maybe we can” we switched it to “we will.” Our mindset is that we will get to our goals as long as every single person on that gym floor was giving there 110% in and out of practice. After a not so great prelims performance at state we all stepped it up and went out there for finals to get what we wanted. We did not go out without a fight. We all walked off that floor with smiles on our faces because you could feel it from everyone that we did exactly what we wanted all season long. We got 3rd in the state and made history.
I am forever grateful for my coaches for never giving up on any of us, my whole family for coming to support me at all my dance events, and most importantly my dance friends who I call my second family. I have made life long friendships because of these programs and I cannot wait to see where life takes me without this sport.
Love, Brinkley Zabel
