Dear Madonna,
I competed at the Michigan Classic last weekend and achieved my first "picket fence" win. That's when all the judges have you in first place so that the number 1's line up like a picket fence....and that was despite a pretty spectacular error.
Same event - same day, even - I danced in another division and was placed DFL, or Dead F***ing Last. That was another first for me and I'm owning it - which is, of course, easier to do (as Michelle said) when I have a Picket Fence to hide behind - but being at both ends of the spectrum does speak to the immediacy of dance, and how it is appreciated (and judged ) so much in the moment.
Was I better - or worse - dancer from one contest to the next? Of course not. And as much as I appreciate the feedback from judges and coaches, the biggest trophy I received all weekend was from my partner in the Novice Hustle Jack & Jill who told me - very sincerely - how much he enjoyed dancing with me.
That trumps a Picket Fence any day.
Ciao,
Julie
