Flash Back Friday: Nationals year 2

{2013 Officers rocking out}

It's that time of year again. Time to bring out the green and gold, practice our best cheerleader screams, and support a group of girls who have dedicated not only the last few months but years to this moment. It's nationals weekend and time to reminisce. Last year when I wrote this post it was one of my most popular post and still is to this day which it should be.The Golden Girls deserve every bit of praise they get for their hardwork and dedication to their sport. (Yes I'm bias and NO I don't care)

{living on the edge of glory with a group of girls I would give it all to be back with}

{2014 girls setting up to kill their Pom routine}

{when you accomplish great things all you can do is smile and enjoy with your sisters} 

{Sophomore year Elvis routine}

For years I took for granted the hours of daily practice, the missed Friday nights, and those horrible early Saturday mornings. What I would give though to be back in that studio with my 22 sisters preparing for a National title and making memories that will last me a lifetime.

{Long Live the walls we crashed through, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you}

Golden Girls teaches you more than just what it means to be a teammate. It taught me passion for my goals, it taught me focus in my life, and taught me that no matter what I AM JUST THE WOMAN TO DO IT. Mrs. Baker was an instrumental part of all those teachings and to her I am forever grateful. She was my second mother when my mom couldn't be there and pushed me everyday to be a better person. 

{You can't help but smile when being with her} 

{Being a fan with her was a memory I will cherish forever}

To this years girls from Freshman to Seniors I hope you take every moment this weekend and make it the best you can. Stay focused on the ultimate goal but don't forget to enjoy your sisters. You have all worked hard to get to this spot and you all deserve to rejoice in its glory! 

Don't ever forget you didn't get to this moment alone it took your sisters, your coaches, parents, and schools support. 

Seniors be sure to especially enjoy the moment no matter the outcome, this is it girls make your legacy count and don't forget to thank your team it took every single one of you to get to that floor. 

{When you love, work, and play the way we did that year you can't help but cry tears of joy for the glory of the prize}

{I'm on the Edge with YOU}

{Here is that one time we beat The Floyd Central Dazzlers at camp.. Yes that really happened}

To Coach P I'm not sure I have ever shared this with you but you were my dance inspiration since I stepped on to the varsity team. I can remember a distinct practice where you spent a majority of its time sitting and focusing working skills with me my sophomore year. To me that meant the world that someone would take the time to help better me as a dancer and I have made sure to pass on the favor whenever I can. I am beyond excited for you in this new journey you have embarked on and love being able to support you in any way I can and will continue to do so! 

Coach Sasser though I have never danced under your direction I have had the pleasure of knowing you on a personal level! Keep your love and a spunk for the girls because it's infectious, and that is seen by all. You are a hard worker and great role model. 

To the parents, remember this weekend is about the girls! There will be times they forget how much you have done to prepare for this weekend and the time and effort you have put in to make this season happen. Don't fret I promise you one day they will realize all the great things you did for them. As I sat the other night helping make buttons and fan paddles I took a moment in realizing the things my mom had went through to make sure that everything was perfect my nationals weekend. Never once did she complain and still to this day she won't say an ill word about it and volunteers to help whenever she can. Wisdom comes with age and I'm not claiming to be wise I'm just claiming to have grown mature enough to be grateful for my mother and all her time! 

I look forward to watching all you girls and supporting your hardwork. I'm excited to see familiar faces and recount the nationals memories made over the years. This is your time girls go forth and make every minute of it the best that you can. 

Love to you all, 

   One very Proud Alumni, Morgan Kennedy Miller 

The Happiness Project: Morgan Kennedy Miller Day 4

If you are a regular blog follower and reader you have read many times about my passion and love for dance and heard about one very special lady, Mrs. Kathy Baker. For the past 4 years and some of my middle school dance career I danced under the direction of Mrs. Baker. The things that Mrs. Baker has taught me are things I hope to carry on with me for the rest of my life. I learned what it truly meant to be a team player, how hard you really have to work for it to be hard work, responsibility is important because you will not always have someone to take care of you, and promptness is key. On any given day I am usually about 10-15 minutes early to any event.. lol So below I share with you Mrs. Bakers answers to my Happiness project questionnaire

 

1.  My name is Mary Katherine Baker, but my friends and family call me Kathy.  I share my mom's first name as two Mary's in one house while I was growing up would have been confusing.

2.  I love being the  wife of Brian, mom of Christy and Steven, and Grammy  of Madisyn, Chloe, and our future grandson (Reese, Knox, Nash, or Bennett- name not decided yet).  I love being retired and playing tennis, attending women's bible study group, baking desserts, and playing with my new puppy whom Is training to become a service dog.  Puppy Braxton makes me laugh every  day.  I was fortunate to have a career that I was very passionate about- teaching dance to phenomenal young women.  Nothing better than assisting a group of young women to bond, form goals, and work to meet their challenges and goals.

3.  I love music so much that I have a lot of favorite songs.  Currently I have been jelling to All Of Me by John Legend,  along with Happy, and Timber.  I love just about anything from Journey or Bon Jovi, but Barry White's Your My First, My Last, My Everything,  always gets me.

4.  Besides my God, parents or husband, I have been so influenced by Ernest Oliver Hebson.  I was fortunate to have him teach me from 7th-12th grade.  He took 70 7th-10th grade kids who knew very little about music and developed an award winning band  program of over 300 kids 

by the time I graduated.  He was demanding, had high expectations for us, and never let us doubt that we couldn't be the best. I think a lot of my teaching style came from him.   His HS band has had the opportunity to march in the Macy Day Parade, Orange Parade, Rose Parade, Governor's and Presidential inauguration parades as well as several international invitations.  While he taught us to work hard to be the best,  he just expected us to do our best and to be responsible to each other.

5.  Talk is cheap!

      If you want a friend , be a friend first!

     Act enthusiastic and you'll be enthusiastic. 

      I realize you have heard all of these, and they are pretty basic, but I really do believe them.  

      Ralph Emerson is a little more poetic with "Nothing great was ever achieved without  enthusiasm."

6.   Spending time with my family makes me happy. I also love watching a student develop their potential, especially when they didn't realize that they could make their accomplishment.

7.  We are not made to go through life by ourselves.  Trust in God to lead you and be sure to make sincere relationships.  I would also recommend that young adults realize that the world does not revolve completely around them.  Get out and do something for others. We benefit from helping others.

    Good luck with your 20 before 20!  Be sure to keep in touch as I love hearing about your adventures!  Don't forget , I'll be expecting an invitation to your inauguration when you win your first election.  You are just the woman to do it, even if your it (goal) changes.  Love you girl!

Mrs. B

Wherever life takes me I pray this amazing lady always is a part of it! Happy hump day everyone hope you are having an amazing day and doing big things!