Counting Down the Home Games

 The fact that we only have ONE home game left is crazy to me. Where did this season go?! Every year when basketball season wraps up I reflect on how I started the season and how I'm ending it. I wish I could tell myself back in September how different my life is now than it was then. And even though I've experienced some major life changes since I first stepped out on the court this season, all I can feel is grateful. 

In dance and outside of dance this season has humbled me. I've learned to take absolutely nothing for granted because this life guarantees us nothing, so we have to be grateful for every last bit of it. As a dancer I feel like I've grown, pushing myself to improve my strength and technique. I've spent hours in the  studio working on turns and flexibility to the point where I can say I'm really proud of them now. In addition to that I've also invested more in myself. Taking not only time to workout but to rest and recharge. I dance better when I allow my body to take the time to recharge. 

This season I've taken on a new leadership position, that of the social media manager of our team. I run our Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. I also totally went out of my comfort zone and created us a website! I love this program so much and I want to give back to it as much as I can. Making our socials more active, current and creative has bolstered a lot of attention and support for the Bravettes and Bradley Basketball which is amazing to see and is always my goal. 

As a group, I feel like my team has grown a lot closer, and though we are sad to say goodbye to our seniors, we are so excited for what's to come. I can't believe that I'm about to be a senior - like HOW?? In addition to that we had our biggest Kids Camp in Bravettes history this year - we had nearly 100 kids sign up! Kids Camp is one of my favorite days of the year. I love getting to share my love of dance with the kiddos and it's so cool to think they might be Bravettes one day. Since we are a self-funded team, our Kids Camp brought in enough money for us to get new uniforms - just in time for my senior year (AH)!! 

The 2022-23 season hasn't come without challenges, but I'm so proud of how much we've accomplished and how far we've come. With T-2 weeks until the MVC Championship, we're busily preparing our routines and crossing our fingers for the Braves to win it all. 

The last home game is Sunday 2/26 at 3pm so if you're reading this, COME TO THE GAME! It's Bradley vs Drake and it's also Senior Night. I'll be on the court, dancing as always, and maybe tearing up a little on the sidelines - it's so hard to see our seniors go! 

Till next time, 

Izzy