IV. Cheers & Chants Experience

by Unknown 9:53 PM 2 comments cheers & chants experience TM151

The experience I gained from this competition is not comparable to the things I experienced in the past. To be very honest, I had a really hard time at first that I was just starting to not care at all. I was telling to myself that the stress the Cheers & Chants is giving me is really not worth it. I don't care if we don't win. I just don't want our block to be laughing stock in front of the entire SOAB. So, these thoughts of mine were repeating in my head no matter what I do or where I go. It keeps on hunting me and I am really trying my best to runaway from it.

I felt really bad that I was the assistant leader, but I gave up on the position because handling my classmates gives me a really hard time. Whatever you tell them, it just won't sink in to them. The pressure my vocal cords gets whenever I shout just to shut everyone out is really painful and not worth it. they would be silent for the first 5 seconds and everything will be back to normal. You know that as an inspiring singing, my vocal cord is important. I was told by my vocal coach in high school to refrain from shouting as much as I can and talk soft if I can in order to protect my vocal cords. That's why I gave up. Because I think it was just not worth it.

Days went on as three of my classmates were very diligent and helped our leader with the cheers and with handling the section. And just like what you expect, I really tired my best not to help with handling the section, but I am trying my best to help with the making of the cheers. As a person who's really bad at it, I can't really suggest something that has a wow factor in them. The best thing I can do is to follow their lead, do my best in every practice and suggest things if I think something is off.

As the day of the competition begins to arrive, the aura within the classroom gets heavier each day. The people who are serious with the practice are also getting mad with the non serious ones. Every heads were exploding. We are losing so much time scolding and lecturing each other. I try my best to be silent and just cooperate. When we were practicing, I learned that if I shout "3, 2, 1, GO!", everyone will start doing the chant even if they were talking to each other. Since then, I stopped getting mad for I know that it is useless to them and started shouting the countdown whenever we are starting.

One day before the competition, we have decided to stay in school until 6 pm and that was the day that the choreography of our chants were made and taught. By the time that everyone was starting to get serious and starting to enjoy the practice, we were told that we have to go home at 5:30. There was a feeling in my heart that was relieve for I know that at least we won't be able to be a laughing stock tomorrow.

On the day of the competition, we had an agreement that we will attend school at 6 am in order to practice. Setting my alarm on 3 am to prepare, but when the alarm rang, I can't lift my body, my throat feels itchy and I am not feeling well in general. I texted my classmate that I will attend school at 7:30 am. I left home at 7:10 and guess what, there's a heavy traffic. I usually drive to school for like 10 to 15 minutes, but on that special day, I arrived around 7:50 am. That morning, things weren't going my way already and I couldn't think of anything worse that could happen.

I fixed myself. I wore the costume, putted make up and fixed my hair. After that, we started practicing again. mastering the actions and placing, but just like the common rehearsals we had, the majority were not cooperating. They kept on talking and the leaders will scold us then start a serious practice for a minute then they'll be talking again. Fortunately, there are three upperclassmen who gave us their opinion and helped us. To make the long story short, they were a great helped. The only thing that is left now is for us to perform.

We went to the mph1 and sat where we are supposed to sat. I can hear the pounding of my heart as I look at everyone. I can feel my hands getting colder as the event starts. I can feel my knees trembling as our performance gets closer. When we performed, something happened that was not part of the plan and I panicked. literally. my heart and mind were panicking and my body started moving on its own. I committed 3 mistakes which scared me more cause I am in the middle front. As we go back to our place, I kept telling myself that it's doomsday. We lost. As the awarding takes place, I feel sadder and ashamed for it'll be very embarrassing if we weren't able to get a single award with just 4 competitors. When we are called as the first runner up, I don't know how to explain how I felt. I am just so happy. It is something I never expected based on our rehearsals. But we did it.

This is a bittersweet experience and a very memorable indeed. This is one of the things I will never forget in my college life. I am hoping to have more memorable experiences and enjoy the journey as I go.

credits to the owner of the photo