I know me leaving is going to be hard, extremely hard, but think about how it is going to be for me. A life without Rangerettes seems so unreal, so pointless. Although there is a future out there for me beyond this organization, I will miss you, my class, and dancing with my friends every day. I know you may be afraid, you may not know exactly how to be a sophomore, but I promise this is going to be the best year of your life.
Summer begins and then all of the sudden it is Mini Camp (probably the best part of being a Rangerette). You get to teach dance to all of your biggest fans, to all of the hopefuls, that someday hopefully get a chance to be part of this wonderful organization. Daily dressing up, looking cute, and showing off your talents is a definite must for camp. When it finally ends, you will be tired, but I promise the hard work and the time spent with these kids is totally worth it.
Wow, it is already time to find out who your freshman are. It is tryout week and you’re probably more nervous than the 100 girls auditioning. This week is magical. You finally become a sophomore. You get to watch so many talented girls shoot for the stars and try to achieve their dreams. As you stand in front of the girls as they find out their fates, you will feel sadness and happiness for those who do and don’t make the team. It’s an extremely emotional week.
The rest of summer flies by and it’s finally time to move back to the dorms. You and your roommate will forget that you moved upstairs, walk straight into the freshman hallway that is off limits, and try to start moving your things in. Settling in again will feel weird because you’re on another floor. The occasional run-ins with the freshmen will be awkward, and I don’t think it will ever feel normal to not see your sophs walking around.
Show Offs get here faster than you could imagine; some of your best friends are about to find out if they are chosen as the new officers, and your freshman get to perform for the very first time. It seems so surreal that the year is already beginning. You sit in the audience as they perform officer strut over and over again. The decision is made, and the captain starts the fight song with your class and freshmen for the very first time.
The first game is already here and the high kick is harder than last year's. You don’t think you could possibly kick this long in your belt, but underneath the lights and the crowd’s cheering, you kick your hat and stride with pride onto that field. It ends within a moment, but it was probably the most amazing feeling you’ve felt. The team wins, and you get to sing the fight song on the field for the first time.
In the blink of an eye, it is Christmas show. You’re performing with your class in front of an audience on Dodson auditorium. You exchange gifts with your Little before the show and cry because the year is halfway over.
Christmas break seems to fly by and the number of calories you consumed will make it quite difficult for your belt to fit anymore.
Revels.
It’s time. The theme is announced. The choreography begins to be taught. The work in Dodson has only begun. You spend hours on the stage cleaning and working on your dances. You’re exhausted, but you're also ready for an audience to view all of this hard work you have been putting into this show.
Open night gets here faster than you expect. The girls from all over Texas arrive that want to someday fill your shoes with their drill teams ready to view your show. Your heart will race and your adrenaline is going to pump out of your body, but I promise it’s worth it. You’ve done this before, but this time it’s different, because this time is the last time.
The week will fly by. You get so caught up in the dancing, the laughing, and the exhaustion that you can’t remember what show you’re on. Finally… It comes. Saturday night Revels. This is the very last time you will ever perform as a Kilgore College Rangerette in the red, white, and blue. It is going to be the hardest night of your life. You will cry, probably a lot. The entire audience will see you heart and soul during each and every number you are in. You will kick hat, while the tears fall from your eyes from the happiness and sadness of leaving this place you call home.
It may be over, but it is never done; your journey here as a Rangerette will last forever. I know I may not be there for you during this year, but you’re going to be a great big sister and a fantastic sophomore. Just remember to “Lift your head and hold it high” and “Take it all in” because “When endings come too soon, too fast. Remind yourself to make it last.”
DADA, do it big and remember that I love you.
Love always,
Your big sis
