STERLING SILVER STUDIO’S 34TH ANNUAL SENIOR STUDENT SHOWCASE

Good Morning! Carolyn Nelson-Kavajecz here.

As I prepare to head out to Sterling Silver Studio’s 34th Annual Senior Student Showcase and my own daughter’s Senior Recital, I find myself reflecting on the memories I’ve had the privilege of making with my children—raising them in this tightly knit performing arts studio family.

For the new moms just beginning this journey, my advice to you is simple: Keep your focus on what truly matters.

Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of chaotic, hilarious, and unforgettable moments. I remember bringing two-year-old Rokkyn to a twirling competition in Sparta, setting her down for just a moment while I helped my little “yellow polkadot bikini” team—and in an instant, she caught sight of a huge team of “Warriors” competing on the floor. She was so used to running around with the kids at the studio, that she thought it was play time and she took off running, and was weaving through a team of teenage twirlers mid-performance. I thought I’d die of embarrassment, but looking back, it was just one of many priceless memories.

Then there was the time I was serving as MC for the TUTC Spring Fling, in front of hundreds of dancers and families, when my daughter won an award. As she stepped up to the microphone, I asked her, “What studio are you from?” She grabbed the mic, proudly declared, “Becky’s Dance Studio!” It obviously wasn’t, and the audience roared (Becky thought it was quite funny too!)

Growing up with three brothers, my daughter was less than gentle with her things. I would have to buy her 1 new pair of tights for every single costume change, for every competition, because she would be wrestling with the boys or just rolling around on the floor and ripping holes in her tights between every routine. And she LOVED to stick her finger in the holes and watch them run as she made the holes bigger. Then there were the lost earrings, and mysteriously vanishing bun forms. One year, she grew out of three sizes of dance shoes—meaning I bought 18 pairs in a single season. At the time, these things felt overwhelming, but in hindsight, they were just part of the journey—worth every investment.

And then, of course, her outfits that she wanted to wear to every event—metallic purple booty shorts, knee-high black boots, a mangy leopard fur coat. She refused to let me brush her hair, but I walked into every event with my Little Miss Sunshine, proud of the confidence and creativity she exuded.

Through more than 15 years of competition, she traveled and competed against her best friend—there was never a trace of jealousy, no matter who took home the trophy.

And raising multiple performing artists came with even more challenges. Even when your kid shows up and does the team event in Crocs at Wisconsin State Championships, or falls off the stage at Showstopper, or throws up on the bus all the way to Indiana, or takes 60^th place out of 60 in the duet event at Nationals, or decides that they want to go fishing with their grandpa instead of going to the world championships – Hold your head high and embrace the journey. (And yes, I have experienced every single of these things first-hand).

 We have had the opportunity to travel all over the United States with our Sterling Silver Studio family. We spent countless hours on car rides to events singing songs and telling stories, marching in parades and eating caramel apples afterward, practicing in the gym all day long and ripping holes in tights with friends, cheering on teammates and learning about sportsmanship, sleeping in hotels and swimming in the pools with our besties, and shedding bittersweet tears while getting ready for recitals. This is my second Senior Recital as a mom of a graduate, and I promise you, these are the big things.

 To the seven other moms out there who have kids performing their senior solos today, my heart is with you. I am a studio owner, I am a coach, but first and foremost I am a mom, just like you. We will all be watching our hearts dance on that stage today. I’ll bring the Kleenex.

To all of the new moms out there; don’t sweat the small stuff. You are going to blink, and it will be your heart on that stage performing a senior solo. The “wins” that you take with you when it is all said and done, are not represented by trophies on a shelf, but by the memories you hold close, that make you laugh through the tears at your child’s senior show.

More Than Twirling