Karis Pendleton

Wow, just wow. I did it!! I officially completed one full year away from home. When the first day of Joffrey started the end felt so far away and when I finally got to the end I felt like time passed by so quickly.

My last week of Joffrey went really well!!!! We had a ton of rehearsals for our pieces. I did really well in all of the run-throughs. Each run through I feel like I got better and better. I was so confident and ready for the show!!! Even though I was excited for the show I think I was more excited to see my parents and brother!! 😜 I missed them so much!! It had been a little over 2 months since I’d last seen them. When I saw them I gave the biggest hug 🥹💖

It was the day before the show and everything seemed to be going well but then the Artistic Director had to have an emergency rehearsal with my group because someone in my class ended up having to drop out of the show due to very unfortunate circumstances. This was so stressful. I was super worried about my colleague and I was also really worried about my dances because there were no understudies. We all were selected to perform a variation for the show. Normally a variation is a solo but my teachers had us perform in groups of 3 or 4. The Artistic Director asked if anyone knew the variation my colleague was in. I knew it so I raised my hand. Mrs. Era ended up picking me to do the variation!! It was honestly kinda bitter sweet. I was happy to help but at the same time I was sad because my colleague worked so hard and ended up not being able to perform. I was also grateful because it showed me that being prepared pays off. As soon as she told me I’d be doing the variation we go to work. I ran it about once or twice before dress rehearsal and it went really well!! Then I ran it again at dress rehearsal and it went soooo well!! My teachers were so proud of me for being able to adapt quickly. To be honest I’m also proud of me. 💞

Now It’s the day of the show and I’m surprisingly pretty chill. I’m a little nervous but more excited than anything!! The show started and my class and I were the 2nd dance in the show so we were backstage getting prepared. While we were preparing my two friends and I decided to pray together before the show!! It was so nice to pray with them. I felt so centered. Praying before the show really helped my performance. I know that because I did such a good job!!! I expressed myself on stage, I remembered all my steps and honestly and truly enjoyed myself. Since we had a break between the first and second show I went to grab food with my friend and her family. It was so nice to get away from the theater for a little and hang out with really kind people. ❤️❤️. After we grabbed food we headed back to the theater for the second and final show. As I was getting ready for the show my knee started hurting me really badly. I was really confused because it wasn’t hurting at all during the first performance. I got some ice and iced it for a little bit. If I’m completely honesty I was really scared because it hurt to even straighten my leg. I talked to my teachers and they gave me an option to not do the show. I told them I would do it and they said to be really careful and if it got worse I needed to tell them.

After icing my knee it started to feel better but there was still some pain. I started to cry a lot before I went on not because I didn’t think I was capable of giving my all but for the fear of making my knee even worse or having to run off stage because it hurt. Anyways, I was able to get myself together and perform, and I’m so glad I did. I still felt pain on stage but because my of my adrenaline pumping I don’t think I felt it as much. I performed in my first piece and I did so well!! So now all I had to do was get through my second dance. I was on stage performing my second piece and it was going really well until my knee started hurting even worse. Luckily I was at the end of the dance so I only had to get through the last 2 minutes of it in pain. As soon as we ended I was relieved but so nervous. I was so scared that my knee had gotten worse. I told one of the people helping out backstage and she got me some ice. I just iced my knee until we did our bows. After we bowed to the audience I packed up all my stuff, and said my goodbyes to all my friends and teachers. I was a little sad when saying bye to my friends because I’d built some pretty great friendships!! Once I said goodbye to everyone I ran out and met my family!!!! I was so so excited to see my parents and brother!!! As much as I like to hear what other people think about my performance their opinion matters the most to me. When I saw them they were smiling and just looking so proud of me!! From the words of affirmation they gave me and the looks on their faces I was very content. I knew I had done it!! I made it to the finish line. One year away from home success. ✅👊🏾💥.

In regards to me knee. My physical therapist in NY came to my show which was so amazing! I’m grateful that they came out to support me!! After the show I told them about what happened with my knee and they said I that I probably need to get some rest. They said that my knee is most likely really tired because I’ve been doing so much extra dancing. Talking to them gave me such peace of mind. I’m so happy they came to support me and that they were able to help me when I needed them! I’m really going to miss them! 😘😘😘

I want to give a special shout out to my aunt Myxy! Thank you so so much for opening up your home to me without hesitation and allowing me to live with you this year!! I really enjoyed getting to spend time with you and getting to live with you. Thank you for showing me around the city!! I loved getting to explore with you. Thank you for your all of your support!! We made so many great memories together this year. Thank you for everything!! I love you so much! 💕🙏🏾🎉💕🙌🏾 I also want to say thank you so much to each and everyone of you for showing your continued support to me. I am beyond grateful for each and everyone of you. Each of you hold such a special place in my heart. If I could describe this year in a one word I’d say this year was about growth. Growth in relationships, growth as a dancer, growth as a person, spiritual growth; groth all around. Being away from home challenged me to lean on God more. It challenged me to figure out how to keep in touch with people I really care about even though they’re so far away from me. It challenged me to be more independent. As fun as this year was it was also hard. I’m grateful for this year though because I learned a lot about who I am as a person and who I want to be. This year was so fulfilling and I’m so grateful I’m able to share my experiences with you all, my friends and family. Next stop Pennsylvania!! 🥹😘🥹😘

Go FUND Me Update!

Thank you all SO much for donating to all of my summer dance experiences!! If you can, please consider supporting and or share the link with friends and family any amount helps. 🙏🏾☺️

https://gofund.me/32a22c71