When I arrived at college all the way back in September, I was immediately overwhelmed by the social scene on campus. I didn't really know how to handle myself in most social situations past the dorm and school sponsored mandatory meetings or introducing myself to the students in my hall. My awkwardness paired with the fact that I major in a department that requires me to be out of my dorm from 8:30 in the morning until 8:00 at night meant that for most of the first semester, when I had a night off or the weekend rolled around, I did not really know what to do with myself except sit in my room and stare at the ceiling. I felt very out of place in my huge university and very much like the dorky dance major who I saw myself as.
I'm not too sure what compelled me to do so, but I decided to audition for what is now my college dance team, Dance2XS Michigan. I really had not had very much exposure to dance that was not ballet, modern, or contemporary and I felt very out of my element when I auditioned for the team. However, I immediately fell in love with the community and the culture that surrounded Dance2XS and hip-hop. It was so unlike any other dance community that I had previously been a part of and I knew as I walked out of the audition that I wanted to be a part of it. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to make the team and I have not looked back since that day.
Dance2XS has become an integral part of my college career in the short time that I've been on the team. Some days before we have practice, I've already been in the studio dancing for eight hours, I have at least three hours of homework ahead of me, and literally every part of my body hurts when I take a step. On those days, I sometimes question why I decided to take on more dance as an extracurricular activity, but when I walk into practice and see my team, whatever negative feelings I had about that day, school, or myself somehow disappear. When I dance with 2XS, I'm not worrying about how I look in my leotard or if my hair is going to stay in. I'm not worrying about the paper that I have to start or the fact that I have to walk home in a blizzard. I'm just dancing and having the time of my life.
Dance2XS is more than just some club that I'm a part of, the team is my family. When I'm with them, I don't feel out of place, dorky, or awkward, although I still am all of those things. I still don't really ever go out or party, but when my classes are over, I now feel like I have a place and a team that I belong to. I wouldn't want to swipe right for any other team, trust anyone else with Kanye's 2020 campaign, or break out of jail with any other people. So, to everyone, past, present, and future, on Dance2XS Michigan and at the posting wall: thank you for making this very awkward, very giggly, and very socially inept ballerina feel like one day she'll be as cool as the rest of you.
