You Can’t Fail Until You Quit

I have always been a very quiet and shy person. I keep to myself, I use my manners, and
I only speak when spoken to some days. Growing up I was involved in a lot of activities where I didn’t have the opportunity to be shy. I couldn’t cower behind my mom during my dance solo, I couldn’t have my mom sing for me at an audition like she used to talk for me when we ordered at restaurants. I had to find my own voice.
I have made many sacrifices over the years to do what I love. I would not be where I am
today without hard work and perseverance. I started dancing at the age of three and as I grew older I started to become more serious about it. I began competing at the age of ten and from then on dance became my life. Once high school started I wanted to get involved and I figured dance team would be a good way to meet people and do what I love at the same time. It was Friday night, the final day of tryouts. I felt confident about my audition, but I was still nervous. The seniors emerged through the gymnasium doors with color coated letters. Each of us were called up to receive them individually. I walked away to open my neatly folded green letter. Other girls around me squealed with joy. They ran up to their friends holding up their letters. In that moment I realized something. Their letters were bright yellow. I looked down at my green letter and opened it. There was a small sliver of hope inside me that made me want to believe that the color didn’t matter. I thought maybe they ran out of paper. But to my disappointment I was wrong, the color did matter. I took a deep breath, shoved the letter in my dance bag, and walked out of the school. I managed not to show my disappointment until I got to the car.
Words can’t describe how upset I was in myself for not making it. My entire freshman
year of high school I worked my butt off at the studio, conventions and master classes. I tried my hardest and pushed myself to be the best and most improved dancer that I could possibly be. I could have given up easily, but I am not the kind of person to settle for less. I was not raised that way. I fought extremely hard to get better. It was not at all easy and I did get frustrated more times than I can even remember. I showed up at tryouts again that next year. All my hard work paid off. I am now a senior on the Papillion La-Vista South Sapphires dance team. If I would have given up I would not be where I am today. I believe you can’t fail until you quit.