WHY I'M GLAD I WAS A JENNIFER COLBY DANCER

Here's what a few of our JCD graduates have to say about their experiences ...

I can think of a million reasons why it was great to be a part of the JCD team. As a teenager, it gave me something positive and active to be involved in, it taught me about working hard as a team to accomplish goals, it created a “home away from home”, and my teammates were more like family than just friends. Today, what stands out most, is how much being a JCD helped me become a successful professional dancer. I credit a lot of my success to participating in dance competitions, and we sure won lots of big awards! But what we learned as JCDs was how to be great all-around dancers and how to act in a good professional way, not how to win a trophy by doing the same dance over and over until it is perfect like some places do. If there is a secret to my success, it was watching dancers from other good studios hour after hour at each competition. Competing also brought so many opportunities to make friends with people from around the country. In the last two years, I have traveled across the world only to take the stage with the same people who were my competitors or were judging our performances. The connections amaze me - and it is so nice to see a familiar face in places you are expecting not to know a soul. And best of all? We all remember each other but no one EVER remembers who won what! Many performers I have met have heard of the JCDs – and what sticks in their minds is: “what a nice group of kids”, or “they have SUCH great costumes”, or “very professional,” or my personal favorite “aren’t you the girl who fell in the middle of a tap dance at IDC Nationals? Your studio is so awesome!” What matters is the friends you make, the impressions you leave, and the things you learn to better yourself as a dancer, as well as a person. That’s why it was so great to be a JCD. I learned these important lessons, and I would not be able to call myself a professional dancer today if I did not have such a wonderful team of dancers and teachers to make my years on the team such a positive, rewarding experience.

Jackie Colby
Graduate
Winter Park HS
I'm glad I was a JCD because it has shaped me into the type of person I am today. By having the privilege to pursue my hobby and talent, dance has helped me to learn the discipline and motivation which helps me in my college career. Being a JCD not only taught me individual qualities, but taught me how to work together in a team. Practicing dances for competition is the equivalent to studying for a college degree, and taught me how to set long term as well as short term goals. Jen was my motivator. Just as an advisor in college helps you through your problems and guides you on the right track, Jen advised me how to become the person I wanted to be. Overall, I don't believe I was a dancer who became a JCD, I believe I was a JCD who became a dancer. A JCD means much more than performing well. It means doing well, in dance and everyday. Perhaps that is why I am on the dean's list at the University of Central Florida every semester!

Christin Dychko
Graduate
Winter Springs HS
There are a million reasons why I was glad to be a JCD; the beautiful hand-made costumes dripping with rhinestones; the ingenious choreography; the endless weekend rehearsals filled with laughter, sweat, sour muscles, goofing off, and inside jokes; the trips to McDonalds to order 120 happy meals in an attempt to collect all 80 ferbees; the pre-recital madness; getting the acro mats stuck in Miss Jen's car; the road trips; counting down the days until we saw the Canadians at nationals; the "breaking out" of the JCD room; playing in the snow in St. Louis an hour before some of us had to be onstage performing; the rhinestone parties, and the list could go on for 15 or 16 pages. I would have to say though, truly the best part about being a JCD, was knowing that no matter what, I always had a team there for me. We were always there for each other in times of need. Whether it was someone's best friend was made at him or her, someone needing help studying for finals, someone's parents getting divorced, or you name it, it didn't matter, there were always forty friends there for you to help anyway they could. And when one of us won something (which happened a lot!), we all won something, and we were always there to celebrate and share in the excitement.

Shannon Mackie
Graduate
Winter Park HS
Being a JCD has meant more to me than I can really express at this point in my life. Having spent only one year as JCD and most of another being a partial JCD, I still believe it has helped me grow into the human being God has intended me to be. I have learned so many things about myself and about some amazing people. I am truly thankful for all the special relationships I have made. With all of the many, many hours we have spent together each week, it's no surprise we have grown to be such close friends. I know I will never laugh so much as I did this past year.I am so thankful that all of the JCDs accepted me into their lives and friendships so willingly. It meant and means more to me than I can say. I know I will never meet such wonderful people in all my life.

Amanda Stepp
Graduate
Lake Highland Prep
When I look back at my 10 years of dancing, the most prominent memories I have are of my JCD team. To me this team represents not only an amazing group of dancers but also some of the best people I know. Especially in my high school years, the studio and the team provided an environment where I could go to forget the stresses of everyday life, and no matter what kind of mood I was in, going to dance for even an hour or so would always brighten up my day. Between the seemingly endless stories, birthday parties, or some of most hilarious poems I've ever heard, I always have something to look forward to at dance. When competition season rolls around everyone is so supportive of one another. It's an amazing feeling to know that no matter how you place at the competition there is always the team of 40 friends there to share that feeling with you and support you regardless of what happens. With all the time that we spend together in classes, rehearsals, and competitions it's no wonder that I've found some of my best friends in the team. Even though the JCD's are a very successful competitive dance team, I know that what matters most are the experiences and friends that are made along the way. Even now, looking back on my 5 years as a JCD I honestly cannot recall which dances got what awards, but I do remember so many amazing moments. It's because of all of these memories that I feel so honored to have been part of such a great team.

Rachel Wasserman
Graduate
Lake Brantley HS
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