This is a tribute which will appear in the program for this weekend’s dance recital for the studio where Jodie dances and teaches at. This month marks Jodie’s 10th year of dancing, 8th year dancing at her current studio and 5th consecutive year of dancing competitively. She has most certainly grown from the adorable little girl with blonde pigtails and a happy smile who was always a beat behind the rest of the dancers on the stage when she performed with the San Jose Raiders’ Mini Divas group. She is today absolutely an accomplished dancer, a very talented dancer with dreams and plans for her future that will most definitely include dancing. This weekend, her studio, teachers and coaches will take time to recognize and honor her achievement as well as that of two other teammates who have danced competitively for 5 and 10 years. She knows she will receive the recognition. What she doesn’t know is we were asked to write this tribute for the recital program.

Ssshhh! Nobody tell her!!

Dear Jodie,

It seems like just yesterday when you announced right after your dance recital that you wanted to try out for the Dance Stars competition team. You worked so hard planning your audition dance, music and what you would wear with so much bright enthusiasm we all couldn’t help but get excited for you. You waited anxiously for Harmony to post the names of the team and was so excited to see your name on the list that you cried happy tears.

Five years has come and gone by so quickly. It’s hard to believe that it has been that long since you first shuffled, stepped and chasse turned all across the stage to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy at that very first dance competition and convention at Hollywood Vibe in Santa Clara. Your enthusiasm back then was so sunshine-y bright that everyone there knew you were attending your first dance convention and what dances you would be competing in…everyone…the  parking attendant, the bellmen, the desk clerk, the concierge, the gift shop attendant. Of course their first clue might have been  the rhinestoned eyelashes, competition hair and makeup and your patriotic sailor costume. But just in case, you wanted everyone to know that you were here to dance for Dance Stars! And dance you did!

Very quickly you have grown…out of that costume…as a dancer…and as the graceful, gracious, kind, responsible human being that you are today. So much has happened along the way:  friendships made, laughter, secrets and tears shared, endless car rides everywhere and one ride in an ambulance. And now not only are you dancing everywhere, any chance that you get, but you are teaching and nurturing that love for dance here at Dance Stars and with Give Every Child A Chance. Your future today is as just as bright and sunshine-y as you were the very first time you danced competitively and it is because you have worked so hard…in dance…in school…in your community. You have plans and dreams for that future of yours. Who knows where it all will take you but one thing is for certain, you will be dancing.

We all are oh so proud of you today and always.

Love,

Mom, Dad, Holly, Ben, Zoë, Josh, Abby, Daniel, Hazel and Fallon

Jodie with fellow teammates, Bella and Tori, all being honored this weekend for 5 and 10 consecutive years of dancing competitively with The Dance Stars