In the spring before my freshman year at NYU, my dance partner and I were given the great honor of representing the United States at the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia. I don't think I even know where to begin in my efforts to try and explain to you all how excited I was. For one, I have this undying love for traveling. Just standing in line to get a coffee at the airport with my suitcase behind me makes me genuinely happy. I had never traveled to Colombia, let alone to South America. Since I began flying for dance competitions, I claimed a dream to see the world before I leave it. I was about to be one continent closer to that goal.
Second, and probably more importantly, only one couple per country per category was chosen to attend this global affair. I was that one! This event was organized and run under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. It was essentially the Olympic Games, but for recognized sports. Instead of Ice Hockey, there was Floor Hockey; instead of Figure Skating, there was DanceSport.
During the Opening Ceremonies, I walked alongside fellow Team USA athletes in Ralph Lauren sponsored blazers. We could all hear the crowd as we waited below the stadium, but once "United States of America" was called and we took the first few steps out onto the track, this immeasurable energy engulfed us. Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero held 45,000 screaming spectators. I had been one of thousands before, either at a concert or a sports event, but the energy that comes with being one of thousands and the energy you feel being just that one in the middle of it all is completely different. I wasn't contributing to the chaos; I was instigating it. All of the athletes were. The energy was directed towards us and as silly as it may sound, we felt it. We were consumed by it. The adrenaline would not leave my system for weeks.
Performing in the Plaza de Toros was no different. The stadium was sold out and 17,000 enthusiastic attendees filled the seats each night. As dancers, we train and compete in ballrooms that are air-conditioned. In Colombia, however, we performed outdoors in the hot South American climate. It was an experience that made our dancing both that much harder and that much more incredible. Being in an open bullfighting arena under the open Colombian sky was absolutely beautiful. That same energy we felt during the opening ceremonies filled the Plaza de Toros and this time it was more personal. I remember hearing the crowd cheer "USA" as my partner and I walked onto the floor. I almost lost my sense of orientation looking up and around me at the filled seats.
What followed after was another incredible feeling—appreciation. I cannot equate myself to someone like Beyoncé because, let's face it, no matter how hard I try, I never was nor will I ever be such a universal icon with a worldwide army of devoted fans. But I did have some. Parents, children, police officers, and even other athletes came up to me and asked for my autograph or my picture. I don't think there was a single person who did not have a nice thing to say. Even those who did not speak a word of English smiled from ear to ear and gave me hugs. When competing, spectators in the first row bent down and offered their water bottles to us. It was truly incredible. They wanted to be near us, to help us, to talk to us. It was like being the center of attention at a party, and 17,000 people showed up to wish you a happy birthday.
When asked what about the experience meant most to me, I think at the heart of it all, I was doing what I loved to do. And that was enough. People appreciated the hard work and dedication that came with the training. They appreciated my talents and they allowed me to share them with the people filling the arena.
Ten years before my Cali experience, my dad drove me to group dance classes twice a week and taught me the multiplication table in the car. I did not win the World Games, but I did accomplish something I never would have even dreamed as a possibility. It's true what they say: 'Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you land among the stars."