9 Things I've Learned from Drill Team

Drill team has taught me:

Punctuality:

My coach always said "If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. If you're late, you're dead." Being punctual is HUGE on drill. We run laps, warm up, and jump right into running routines. If you are late it effects the whole team. (Not to mention the punishment is probably something like more laps or burpees). Punctuality is something I can take away from drill and apply to real life. I've created the "10 minute rule". I wake up 10 minutes before I need to, and I am always 10 minutes early to everything. It helped prevent a lot of stress. 

How to face my fears: 

My #1 fear with dance has always been lifts, tumbling, and tricks. Since I have made drill I have been challenged in trying to obtain some of these skills! I am currently working on my aerial (a no handed cart wheel) and it scares the living daylights outta me. But I do it for my team, and to make myself a better dancer. 

How to channel my emotions: 

There are many times you walk into practice mad as can be. It could be a failed math test or a fight with your best friend. On these days we are taught to channel our emotions. If you're mad, dance fierce. If you're sad, feel the lyrics and breath. If you are stressed, push yourself to work harder and you will feel better after dancing it out. I am so grateful that dancing has always been my outlet. Drill has emphasized this even more. 

How to be a morning person:

Hahaha or attempted to be! My whole sophomore and junior year were filled with 6 AM practices. I would wake up at 4:45 and be to the school by 5:45. We would then dance until 9 AM and we would go to a whole day of school after. During the winter I would wake up even earlier because it was hard to drive in the snow (and my car was a stick shift so even harder then lol.) I learned to always get my homework done early so I could get to bed at a decent time. I also learned that Saturday naps were my BFF. It was the hardest thing in the dead of winter to drag my butt out of bed and start to run laps around the gym at 5:50 AM when it looks like the middle of the night outside. It was even harder to perform and smile when you still feel like you are half asleep! But it taught us that we can do hard things. Our routines got better. We all knew we loved  what we did because we sacrificed sleep for heavens sake. ;) 

Trying new things is GOOD:

Ever seen a drill team perform a military routine? (Picture angry faces, raised eyebrows, intense arm angles and endless cool formation changes). Do you think that they started out being able to have an intense military face right off the bat? Haha, no. :) When I first made drill and was told we had a military routine I was like "huh??? A what??" And I felt like a complete weirdo trying to purse my lips and do that awkward military face. It was awkward because it was new. As I practiced I became better. I learned to LOVE military. 

I soon learned that we try new things everyday in practice. Like one day my coach would say "hey try doing a front handspring but sit on your butt instead." And then "yeah okay cool let's put that in our character routine." (This is a real life example people). We always just go with whatever my coach wants to try. She knows what will be effective in a routine so we trust her. Even if it's weird/new. 

How to improve my work ethic: 

You best believe I've probably ran more bleachers, done more push-ups, and ran more laps around that dang indoor track than you could even imagine. Summer conditioning has probably got to be my best/worst memories! After a three hour practice we would go outside and work out. This pushed me beyond what I thought I could do! Not only did I become stronger psychically, but mentally too. My coach always says "it's mental toughness." If I think in my head that I can push through something, my physical body will obey.

How to work hard in school:

You have to maintain a certain GPA to be on drill. You can't have any F's or NC's to be eligible to perform or compete. This is plenty of motivation, but my coaches always encouraged us to get our homework done early so we can get plenty of rest. They always motivated us to get help in class if we didn't understand. They also encouraged (made) us always go to class even if senioritis is hitting us hard this year. In fact we have to run one lap for every time we skip a class. I love that drill has helped me succeed in school. 

How to have class:

My coach feels very strongly about this. Girls on her team should respect herself and others. She should dress appropriately. She should smile and be kind to other students or other teams. We are always representing Westlake Drill wherever we go. I have always taken this advice to heart and make sure I am being the best version of myself that I can be. Being classy is something that isn't seen enough these days, I love that she encourages it. 

How to make some killer friendships: 

I have made amazing friendships on drill that I will never forget. The girls I have come to know are my second family. They love and support me just like a family would. We lift each other up on the bad days and smile and laugh on the good ones. I know that I will forever be friends with the amazing girls I have come to know because of being on drill! 

Man, I know I'm forgetting a thing or too. Can I just end with how grateful I am to have been a part of Westlake Drill? I am so thankful I decided to try out for a team my sophomore that would teach me more than just how to dance better. I have been taught life lessons that I will never forget. Once a member of Westlake Drill, always a member. 

- Loryn C.