For three seniors, Sunday was their last time competing on Milligan’s dance team, and soon they’ll turn in their pom-poms and say goodbye. The three seniors took some time to tell The Stampede about their four-year journey.
The Bittersweet Goodbye: Dance team seniors say farewell
By Nathan Dickerson
4.27.16
Molly Gumbert:
Communications Student, Interpersonal concentration
Growing up in a dance studio yet never having held pom-poms before, Gumbert says that she has definitely seen growth in herself over the past four years at Milligan. Through all of the encouragement and support she received from the dance team, Gumbert says her experience has been irreplaceable.
Through all experience, Gumbert says it will be the fellowship with such amazing girls that she will miss most about the dance team. Being able to share the love of dance with the team and watch others’ love of dance come out in the choreography of competition are two of the things Gumbert holds most favor in.
Favorite Memory:
“One time on the way to competition, the team thought it would be funny if they hid one of my flip flops,” Gumbert says. “We got to competition and went to dinner before going back to the hotel, and I couldn't find my flip flop. They had me convinced that it had fallen out of the van when we stopped for a pee break. I was in hysterics yelling, ‘I found flip but I can't find flop!’ Come to realize, right before I walked into the restaurant with only one shoe on, one of the girls had it in her purse the whole time.”
Jess Maxson:
Nursing Student
As an eight-year chapter of her life comes to an end, Maxson says dance will always be a love of hers. Fellowshipping with the girls on the team, however, is what Maxson says she will miss the most.
Whether it was preparing backstage, learning a new routine, practicing, performing or simply eating meals together, Maxson says it was always refreshing to fellowship with girls on the team.
Maxson is also excited to see what God has in store as she pursues a career in nursing.
More than friendships, Maxson will also carry some of her favorite memories of getting to know incoming freshman and bonding “over the stress of learning and performing/perfecting two routines within a three-day span” at dance camp a week before school.
Brooke Gomez:
Communications Student, Missional concentration
As excited as she is to start a new chapter in her life, Gomez says her “goodbye” is also bittersweet. Having grown to love the other members of the dance team so much, Gomez is saddened to be moving on.
As she will soon be far away from such a community of people, spending time each week with the team is something Gomez will truly miss. Her favorite part of each competition was getting the chance to spend time with the girls on the team.
“They really are the best part of the Milligan dance team,” Gomez says.
Although the dance team received Platinum--the highest award given at this particular competition--for their last performance, the seniors say their experiences and friendships are worth more than any competition score.