Jillianne Lantanea

Ruff Ryder dancers after performing for Birthday Bash 15

“Mom!??! Where are you?? I’m going to be late!!”

January 25th, the day where I had to be in two places at the same time. My CVHS dance team had a competition and my Ruff Ryder dance team having a performance, both happening on the same day. Balancing both events was going to be a challenge and honestly I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it. 

Ever since I was little I’ve always enjoyed being busy and having a busy schedule. There’s just something about doing nothing all day that irks me out. Entering high school, I packed my schedule to the brim, juggling two varsity dance teams, taekwondo, cross country, serving as president of two clubs as well as cabinet of multiple clubs, volunteering and even taking 6 AP classes this year. While I enjoy doing all of these things, sometimes I have to remind myself to take a step back and breathe, especially on days when multiple commitments collide. 

Knowing I had both a competition and a performance for two different dance teams, not to mention on the other side of town, I planned and perfectly curated my schedule so I could still do both. 

Call time for Carnegie Dance Team, CDT: 9 AM

(Meaning I have to wake up at 7:30 AM bc it is far from my house) 

Call time for Ruff Ryders: 12PM

Tech time for Ruff Ryders: 1 PM

( I’m going to have to miss that) 

Tech Time for full studio piece: 4:15 PM 

(missing that too)

Performance time for CDT: 5:05 PM 

(Cutting it close but I can do it)

Performance end CDT: 5:15 PM

(If I run I can make it by 6:15)

Doors open for the Birthday Bash: at 6 PM

Performance time for Ruff Ryders: 7 PM 

Performance ending: 11 PM

(Finally, my day can be over)

Nothing was going right that day. 

Starting the day, I arrived at 9:10 am, already late for the 9 am call time. As I stepped into the dressing room, everyone was already busy doing their makeup and hair and then, I received bad news. The comp was delayed by 1 hour because there was no electricity in the building. 

They had to be joking. There was no way I was going to make it to my next performance on time. 

Forcing myself to stay calm, I couldn’t help but stress about making it to both events on time. The CDT performance is now set for 6 PM, but I still had to be at Stafford Centre by 7 PM—an entire hour away. I needed a backup plan ASAP. 

5, 6, 7, 8, AND ONE

I started teaching all the alternate dancers my part of the dance, just in case I couldn’t make it in time for both performances. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind was clouded with stress, consumed with the thought of whether I’d make it on time. I was constantly texting my mom about it, hoping for a solution, but her response stayed the same: “You’re going to be fine, have a sound mind, you will make both in time.”

While I tried to ease my mind, nothing seemed to work. My mind was on overdrive. 

Time slipped away, and before I knew it, it was 5 PM—just an hour before the performance. In the practice gym, I ran through the routine one last time before stepping on stage, but doubt still lingered. Should I go through with the performance and risk being late, or let an alternate take my place and leave early for my next event?

Conflicted, I turned to my mom for advice. She reassured me once again, telling me to go for it and that I would make it on time. After debating with myself, I finally made my decision—I was going to perform. With that, I stepped onto the stage and danced my heart away. 

“Give it up for Carnegie Dance Team!”

I could hear my heart racing. 

As I walked off stage, I glanced at the clock—6:00 PM. In just one hour, I would be back under the spotlight, opening another show: Soundbox Studios Birthday Bash 15 for Ruff Ryders. The moment I stepped backstage, I took off, sprinting to grab my bags. I had no time to waste—I had to get in the car and race to my next performance as fast as possible. 

A clock was constantly ticking in my mind, every second counted.

I zoomed past all the parents, dancers, and directors scanning the parking lot for my mom, except I couldn’t find her. Frantically, I had to scramble through my bags desperately searching for my phone to call her.

Finally, I spotted her. I jumped inside the car, my mind was spiraling with worries. What if I don’t make it? What if I miss the performance? What if there’s traffic? What if? What if? What if..? “Calm down,” my mom reassured me. “Just get ready—you’re going to make it on time.”

In the car, I rushed to change into my costume, reapply my makeup, and fix my hair— all while my nerves continued to buzz. By the time I reached my destination, it was 6:50 p.m.

I made it. I got there on time. 

Rushing inside, I took a deep breath and gathered myself. I was in charge of taking care of one of the younger dancers from Lunchbox. Ensuring that she had everything that she needed for the costume change. After double checking that everything was in place, I stepped onto the stage and danced my heart out.

The days leading up to the competitions were hectic. On top of school and clubs, having dance practices on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there was barely a moment to breathe.

In the end, I learned that you just need to go with the flow and stop dwelling on “what ifs.” Life has a way of working itself out, often in ways you don’t expect. Worrying will only make your life harder and make you unhappy. All you need to do is chill and let life unfold as it’s meant to. Stressing out so much will do nothing. 

Because sometimes we just need to remember my mom’s motto: 

“You’re going to be fine, have a sound mind, and you will make it on time.”