UDA Nationals Part One

Nationals was overall very good this year. There were a lot of highs and a lot of lows but overall it was a big success!! We are so proud of Gianna for hitting all six of her routines!! She was amazing!! We are so proud of Julia for her wonderful leadership and incredible talent. The pressure is just so intense. The stadiums where they dance are just packed with thousands of people and it is so incredibly loud. It's like being at a rock concert. The D1A teams are just incredible. The UDA Nationals have been nicknamed the Superbowl of college dance. 

We began with Game Day semis and the team was perfect! But then the finals...ugh...they weren't so perfect with a few mistakes. They still managed to pull off a silver medal but only lost the gold by .01 of a point. Ouch...like what?!? Anyway placing 2nd is still fabulous!! 

Pom semis and finals were amazing! I totally didn't expect it to go as well as it did this year. They had big shoes to fill from last years amazing Pom routine that won the silver medal. This year they managed to win the bronze medal! Just fantastic!

Then there was Jazz. My absolute favorite routine from all four years. Julia didn't have the performance she wanted in the semis. That girl is almost always perfect but she had a few things she wasn't too happy about. But then came the finals and she was PERFECTION!  She had the performance of a lifetime and I was bawling watching her. These pictures are just stunning. Gianna was so impressive with her beautiful performances as well! What a joy it was to watch the stunning choreography and these gorgeous dancers perform their hearts out! We are so proud of our two amazing dancers!! 

The semi finals in the Fieldhouse...

The Finals in the Arena...Julia leading her team onto the stage...

Captains...

Ricky was able to join us for a few performances. He's a proud Uncle! 

They finished in 8th place...top ten is always amazing!!

to be continued...

2024 in review

Reflecting back on 2024...

Starting out very strong in January, Julia's dance team won the GOLD medal in Game Day...

and the SILVER medal in Pom at the UDA College National Dance Championships!! 

Then Nicholas won MVP at the year end banquet for the UofL hockey team...so very proud!!

Gianna turned 19...my last year having a teenager : (

We said Good Riddance to SHU which turned out to be a disaster of a freshman year for Gianna...

but GREATER things were in store!! Gianna transferred to Endicott and made the dance team!!!

Then Julia was chosen Captain of the dance team!!

We had a beautiful vacation in Cancun...and all the kids could join us this time...

Julia moved into her cozy on-campus apartment to begin her senior year of college...

and Gianna moved into her cozy dorm room for her sophomore year to began a fresh new start at college...what a difference a year makes!!!

Nicholas started his junior year at UofL and his third year playing college hockey...

Julia received her hard earned National Championship ring...

Gianna was truly happy again...

Nicholas had his first collegiate shut-out...

and earned himself the coveted game belt again...

and Julia had her very last football game : ( 

That was about it for what my Dad would call the "landmark" events. I'm so glad the year is over as it was quite rocky there for a few months, but we made it through as a family and Gianna is shining brightly again! 

As for me, I got a side hustle working for a neighbor and that has now turned into a full time job starting this month. I'll be keeping my other job as an hourly gig on the side. We'll see how it goes. Having three dependent college kids is a lot. 

I'm looking forward to 2025!! Exciting things are in store!!