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Switching Dance Schools
I felt that the dance school I started with wasn't making me a better dancer and I wanted to become more competitive so I made the decision to switch schools. For the first few months I would cry before class because it was very difficult to adapt to the new environment. I didn't know anyone, I had to learn all new material, and everyone was there to work rather than have fun. It was nothing like the old school, I wasn't used to the attention and yelling. -
First Time Competing at Reigionals
At ten years old I danced at my first regionals. I had no expectations, I was just happy to be there. My friends and I were sitting outside the main ballrooms when a paper was hung on the wall, a list of recallers (top 50% who place). People flooded the area to look at it. There were screams of excitement and tears of disappointment. My mom and I scanned the sheet. There it was, “#188 , Caitlyn Murphy, Broesler School”. My mom gave me a huge hug, I smiled ear to ear. I was taking home a medal. -
Kingda Ka
It was my first time at Six Flags Great Adventure. I had waited all day to go on Kingda Ka. I got on and the car pulled out of the station and stopped. I stared at the coaster and realized how high 456 feet really is. Suddenly I was terrified and started shaking. I had no idea when it was going to take off. My friend next to me told me she wanted to get off. It was too late.The ride shot forward and within seconds we were at the top of the hill. Too say the least, we went on two more times. -
I Messed Up my Team at Regionals
Everyone on a team in Irish dance has to look and move the same. At regionals one year, we wore our hair down and straight instead of wearing wigs. When we walked onstage a piece of my hair got in my eye. I knew I couldn't pick my hand up to fix it or points would be deducted. Then I couldn't see so I fixed it when I thought I wouldn't be seen. When I got off stage and my teacher asked me if I touched my hair and my heart sank. I couldn't lie so I said yes. I could tell me was disappointed. -
Invited to Play at All County
I got my violin and sat down in my seat. There was a yellow envelope on my music stand with my name on it. I was confused, why was I one of only a handful of people in the class with an envelope? My orchestra teacher explained that everyone with an envelope was selected to play at the All County Music Festival. I didn't think I would be involved with music outside of school. To me orchestra was just a normal thing I did every day as an elective. -
Last First Place in Prelim
All I wanted was to compete at Nationals that year, but I didn't qualify at regionals. My only other chance was to win three first places by May 1st. It was my last competition before the cutoff and the pressure was on, I needed one more win and the competition was tough. It was time for awards and I was shaking from the nerves, I wanted this so bad. Before I knew it, I was in the top 2. Second place was called and it wasn't me. I won my last first and I was going to Nationals in Orlando! -
Broken Toe
My sister and I were messing around recreating a funny video we saw. I put a mannequin head on under a sweatshirt. Then I went on the steps, it was a horrible idea because my face was covered. We were playing "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey while she took multiple videos and everything was fine. In the last video I missed a step and fell on my foot. My sister and I immediately started laughing, soon after I was in a lot of pain. I found out the next day that I broke my toe. -
Realizing I Couldn't Compete at Nationals
I just got out of my boot and was cleared to go back to dance. There were three weeks till Nationals in New Orleans. I was already signed up, had flights booked, and a hotel room. I still had hope that I could compete even if I didn't dance my best so I went in my basement to practice. I knew it was a bad idea, trying to get back into dancing so quickly could cause another injury. I soon gave up because I knew it wasn't worth it. I was extremely upset but I went anyway and didn't dance. -
Dublin Worlds 2017
My dance team and I competed at the Irish Dancing World Championships in Dublin, Ireland. Our teacher told us the first practice that we were expected to bring home a medal. We didn't want to let him down so we worked really hard. We had a really strong first round and were hopeful. When it was time for recalls we held our breaths, this is what we went there for. When our number was called we all cheered. We had a good second round then waited for awards. We placed 25th in the World! -
28th in Region
Two years prier I was injured on and off, there was always something holding me back. I had finally gotten to train without any obstacles for the four months leading up to regionals, I felt ready. I danced three strong rounds. At awards they started placements at 75th and working their way to the top. I just wanted to do better than the previous year, 42nd place. I qualified for Nationals and was in the top 30. I placed 28th overall and was only eleven placements from world qualifying. -
Place in Solo at Nationals
I didn't practice as intensely as usual for Nationals 2018. I danced with a girl who got 24th at Worlds. Normally that would make me really nervous but I didn't let it intimidate me. I ended up recalling and was super excited. Later on at awards I was looking around at all the other placers, lots of them were World Qualifiers, unlike me. I was proud of myself for making it that far. I was shocked when I beat a girl who is 5th in the Southern Region. I placed 42nd in the Nation!
