Saturday, June 18, 2011

My Current Obsession...


My mom co-owns a dance studio in Moses Lake, Washington. It is run by three amazing women: Janet, Peggy, and my mom of course. They have a little experience in dance and wanted their daughters to be able to enjoy in a successful company and so the started the studio 11 years ago. They pushed us to work hard, to always improve, and to never be satisfied. I watched my mom sacrifice hours with her family and friends to help make Today's Generation the amazing studio it is today. However, we are still from a small town. Moses Lake has 20,000 people and it is a farming community. We are not close to LA or New York. The dance opportunities have never been knocking on our door. We had to go searching. That is why this season of So You Think You Can Dance has been so amazing.

Caitlynn Lawson, is one of my mom's dancers, but she is so much more then that. I have known Caitlynn since she started dancing and have been close with her family since she was little. When I was Miss Moses Lake she was Miss Moses Lake's Outstanding Teen. When I taught dance in Moses Lake she let me help with her solo and I loved the opportunity to teach her and the girls in her class. I have done a lot of choreography for my mom's studio and for the High School Dance Team that Caitlynn was also on and interacted with her under countless circumstances.

Caitlynn is more than just an amazing dancer, she is more than just a beautiful girl, she is a wonderful friend, role model, and all around person. She is the first to help someone and the last to stop practicing and the last one to stop doing the routine full out 100%. (She is also the first to forget pretty much all her stuff when she leaves the studio, but who cares, she'll be back tomorrow).

It is amazing to watch her up on that stage because we get to watch her biggest dream come true. It is amazing because she is from a small town, but it is not surprising because she has always been amazing. If you haven't yet, you should watch her on So You Think You Can Dance and join TEAM CAITLYNN! This kind of experience doesn't come around every day. Caitlynn, I am so so proud of you!

8 comments:

Jill Taylor said...

How amazing!! So glad I found your blog and even more happy you KNOW her!! She has been my favorite from the beginning and i now know why! That's such an accomplishment for your mom and all of the dancers at the studio ! How fun! Michael and I are fans of the show, but we just might have to start voting.... For Caitlyn that is!!! :) take care!!

SANDERSON / MCCONKIE FAMILY said...

I love that a young woman from a little town in Washington State can work really hard, be blessed by teachers that inspire and instruct in such a way that she can pursue her dreams! You have made such a difference in Nicole's life. What you did matters and what you are doing now is being the example my daughter needs. The loving way you took on marriage and motherhood is also important. Love Ya Danielle!!!

SANDERSON / MCCONKIE FAMILY said...

Oh, and just for the record...I'm obessed too!!! Go Team Caitlynn!!!

Tiffany Fackrell said...

i'm pretty excited about this too...but i can't help but think couldn't the photographer gotten a slightly better shot...i'm not sure i would want that picture posted for the whole world to see, ahahhaa! she is an amazing dancer though! we are definitely voting TEAM CAITLYNN!

Miranda Leigh said...

She is just fabulous! Thanks for dedicating your post to her so that others can know it too! And Tiffany, there was a better pic in the Columbia Basin Herald this week! I figure they were just taking a billion shots per second so this was moving to the end pose. Obviously Caitlynn is capable of better, but I think I'd be content if a picture of me looked this good! :)

Go TEAM CAITLYNN!

Crystal and Kyle said...

Hey Dani! That's so cool that a girl from your town is on the show. Thank you for the birthday wish! We are excited to see you guys in August. How has the summer been? Is Tyler in school?

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