The Competition for Gaby

The Competition for Gaby — page 5 — Typical dance studio dress code I'm so glad didn't have to follow one No street clothing of any kind Girls must wear long hair in a bun for ballet classes It should be off the neck and out of the eyes for all other classes Hair that does not reach the shoulders should be secured away from the face with a headband or barrettes No jewelry including watches Ballet slippers should fit like a sock Each class will be assigned specific leotards tights and slippers

The Competition for Gaby — page 6 — I was at the barré stretching when a girl I didn’t recognize started warming up next to me Did I hear someone call you Gaby she asked playing with her ponytail to turn it into a messy bun She had some cool pink highlights under her jet black hair That’s me the one and only I replied hitting a ballerina pose that made her giggle What’s your name Marisa she answered She pointed to her head and did an exaggerated twirl in response It’s my first day here My dance team coach wants us to take classes in our off time so I signed up for a package here Oh cool I answered So your school has a dance team Not exactly said Marisa putting her right foot on the barré and leaning over to touch it with her hand I’m on an all-star team

The Competition for Gaby — page 7 — I couldn’t hide my confusion Aren’t all-star teams for cheerleaders I asked her I of course knew all about the competitive cheer teams that were independent from schools or sports teams But dance all-star teams Never heard of them Well yeah there’s a cheer team at my gym too said Marisa shrugging like it was no big deal But all-star dance teams are becoming really popular We go to competitions and train just like the cheerleaders No way I said squatting into a plié It sounded so cool Believe it or not I’m actually a cheerleader Just for Greenview Middle School not an all-star team What gym do you go to It’s called Energy Xtreme said Marisa Have you ever heard of it I hadn’t But before I could ask more our teacher Olivia walked into the room She clapped her hands

The Competition for Gaby — page 8 — to quiet everyone down I gave Marisa an apologetic look and mouthed Let’s talk later I knew Olivia would flip out if we were whispering It may have been a rock-and-roll ballet class but it was still ballet Okay is everyone fully stretched asked Olivia As we all nodded she turned on some warm-up music It was time to start across-the-floor exercises Everyone get in lines of three We’ll begin with chaîné turns she instructed An old Eurythmics song filled the room I loved this class because it had the upbeat feel of a jazz or hip-hop class but it allowed us to practice our ballet moves To me basic ballet was kind of a snoozefest but I couldn’t deny that knowing the fundamentals definitely made me a better all-around dancer and cheerleader Don’t forget to spot Gaby called Olivia as I

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