Olivia Ronneburger

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     The last fifteen years spent dancing at CMC Dance Company truly went by in the blink of an eye. This studio will always hold such a special place in my heart and I’m so thankful it has played such a huge role in my life. It’s hard to believe it is all coming to an end so fast; I wish I could have all the years back!

     To my teachers: Thank you for creating a place that I can call home. I’ve never met another group of teachers who would drop everything in their life for me and this team. Thank you for always believing in me, even when I didn’t, pushing me to do my best, and allowing me to express my personal feelings whenever I needed to talk them out. Mrs. Marj and Mrs. Chelsea, thank you for all my amazing solo choreography and being the only people who know what to say to calm me down before I go on stage. Even if you’re lying to me and the girl before me didn’t just fall on her face or rip a hole in her costume, it always puts the biggest smile on my face. Thank you to Miss Corina for helping me make my acro tricks so strong and giving me the confidence to do anything upside down. I will forever miss hearing your voice telling me to take off my sweat suit before I step foot into the room. Every single one of you has helped shape me into the person I have become today. Your passion for dance has inspired me, I love you all!

     To my teammates: I’m so thankful to every one of you and I couldn’t imagine myself dancing with any other girls but you. I will miss you all so much, but I cannot wait to see all the amazing things you do in the future. The bonds and relationships we have created in every group are so special to me. The late-night rehearsals, stressful quick changes, stealing each other's lipstick for a last-minute touch up, sharing pizza and wings after a win, pep talks, and group huddles backstage are some of the things I will forever cherish. Time goes by so fast, never take anything for granted. I’ll be back to watch you all kill it next year, I love you guys so much!

     To my seniors: Sharing the stage with the three of you has been so special. I will cherish many memories from our senior year. Even though our next journey separates us, I’m so happy CMC will always bring us back together. 

To my duo partner: Maya, dancing together since we were two years old has created a special bond like no other. Thank you for always being the person I can count on. I’m glad we don’t truly have to “Say Goodbye,” because you will forever be my best friend!

     The biggest thank you goes out to my family. To my mom and dad, thank you for signing me up for dance lessons when I was two! And thank you for taking me out of soccer when it made me too sweaty so I could spend more time at dance class. Thank you for taking me to every single rehearsal, bringing me dinner on every dance break, and most importantly, showing up to be my biggest supporters in the audience. I wouldn’t be half of who I am today without my two biggest role models. To Owen, thank you for showing up for your big sister and sitting through countless competitions. Your hug after competing is one of the things I look forward to most when I come off stage. Seeing the three of you in the front row this year has given me so much love and joy inside. I love you more than you will ever know!

     I couldn’t have asked for a better last competition season. I’ve created the best memories this year, but this team isn’t done yet! I cannot wait to see where my next journey takes me, but I know CMC Dance Company will always be right behind me cheering me on!

- Olivia