Losing- A Lifetime

Growing up, everything was a competition when you had two brothers. My identical twin- Austin- was my biggest competitor, as well as my best friend.

I was the loser when I was up against Austin, always. I was always it when we played tag. I was always the one to say uncle when we wrestled. I was the one who lost the race. I sat and played with the grass while he was the goalie when we were in soccer. I was in the outfield using my baseball glove as a mask while he was the pitcher when we were in baseball. I was on the bench when he was on the court with the rest of the team when we were in basketball.

In sixth grade I finally felt I was a winner because I joined the choir and successfully received the honor of having a solo at our winter concert. Shortly after that concert, I could no longer hold a tune, let alone hold my voice from squeaking every two seconds (the joys of puberty?) So I was once again the big loser because he had joined a football team that never lost one game and gained the title of state champions for that same year.

After 15 years of being the loser, I finally found it; I found my calling. I joined the Legacy High School Winterguard on a whim. One of the geekiest kids in my graduating class (he sucked his thumb up until eighth grade- yuck!) somehow convinced me to go to a try-out session. I, from then on, had a deep relationship with dance and spinning flags, rifles, and sabres.

Seeing as how I wanted, for once, to be the best of the best, I pushed myself and quickly became noticed by the coaches. My coaches then placed me on the dance line, hoping for the best outcome. I was extremely scared to be dancing alongside 5 girls who had taken multiple ballet, lyrical, and jazz dance classes for years, if not for their entire childhood. But because I had somehow a natural talent for dance, I was then quickly and extremely well-known in the Winterguard world for an un-heard-of talent, being a male. I became famous to the extent that strangers wanted to take pictures with me in Dayton, Ohio when I attended World Championships.

After gaining six state championship medals, one-second in the world (intermediate level) medal, and one-sixth in the world (professional level) award, solo dances and choreography, being captain, and so much more- I was now the winner! Not one person, including my greatest competitor, had accomplished so many titles of achievement in anything, this far. I finally found my talent, and I am now pursuing a degree in dance, along with a business degree, while I teach and perform- Winterguard.