Show choir became a huge part of my life starting in high school. It taught me so much about not only music and how to move my body, but also life lessons. These lessons are things that I would have never learned without show choir. Show choir will always have a special place in my heart, and so will music.

1. Show choir taught me how to express myself.

Being a member of a show choir, you always had the freedom to express yourself on stage how ever you wanted to. I would always throw out crazy facials, because I felt that facials really expressed how you were feeling about the music, and everything going on around you.

2. Appreciate the time you have with each coach, teacher, director or judge.

Those long practices when all you wanted to do was go home, appreciate those. Those are the times when the biggest memories come alive and you really understand how each performance can make you a better person.

3. It taught me how to be humble.

The anxiousness of awaiting awards to see who took home the Grand Champion of the competition was aggravating. You wanted to win, even when you felt you didn't give the best possible performance you could. When your team was called to receive the GC prize, you rushed to the stage and celebrated with your team members. When sadly you were not the overall winner of the day, you still had to learn how to be happy for the winning group and know that you gave the best performance you could. You learned how to be humble and appreciative that you have the wonderful opportunity to perform.

4. I learned how to make new friends.

I am a very outgoing person, but show choir helped me learn how to make new friends and be more social. The friends that you made at competitions were always fun to be around. We all shared the love and passion for music, it was a common bond. I also met my best friend from show choir, and now I couldn't imagine my life without her.

5. How to recover from your mistakes.

Oh you just fell down the stairs while running off stage for costume change? Hm. I guarantee only a few people if not any saw it happen. Keep going, never give up because you made a mistake. I have taken this into my everyday life. Everyone makes mistakes, and it is up to you to keep going and not let those little mistakes affect you.

6. Cherish each and every moment.

Even though it has been two years since I graduated from high school, show choir will always be a part of me and I will always consider myself a show choir girl. Those experiences and memories made will always remain with me and remind me of how thankful I am I had such an amazing opportunity. The times from getting up at 3 a.m. to get on a bus filled with kids to the very last performance of my high school career will always be a part of me. The adrenaline rush you get right before you go on stage, I could never forget. The audience screaming their heads off so excited to watch you do something you love. All the show choir moms who always were there to help you get your hair to the highest height possible, and all those times you hated putting all that stage makeup on. The running off stage times to go change your clothes, to trying not to cry during the ballad the last time you performed. Those times are the ones I will never forget.

7. Showchoir taught me how to do my hair and makeup.

If you asked me to do your hair or makeup before I joined show choir, I would have had no idea where to start.

8. My love for anything that sparkles.

Sparkles are one of my favorite things. They make me feel all pretty and like a princess. I love sparkles.

9. The difference between a "blade," and a "fist."

You better know what the difference is, or your choreographer will most likely yell at you until you get it right. Because they want you to be the best you can be.

10. How to put yourself out there.

Try out for each and every solo offered. Although you may not get it, you can at least say you tried. You may never get another opportunity to do it again, so take your chances, YOLO. In the wise words of Kevin Chase: "If better is possible, good is not enough."