A clash of tambourines, a whirl of sequins, and hair dripping with sweat � so ended my first year of Findlay First Edition, more than two months ago. Almost before the last swirl of hair extensions ceased, auditions for the new group of the high school�s show choir began.

Most think that getting in to FFE is the hardest part. And while my leg has never spasmed more than when I sang the high A in �Proclaim the Glory,� singing for auditions is only the beginning of the challenge. The hardest part of being in FFE is maintaining some remnants of sanity and keeping your feet from turning in to blistered stumps � and I�m only partially joking.

The initiation into this way of life starts with FFE summer camp, a grueling week of practices from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. I�m never more in shape than I am at the end of that week � but a week with Andy (our choreographer) can make the most athletic notice a difference. Words cannot describe the pain that my body endured that summer camp, except that during our two-hour dinner breaks, I fell into a bath and Mom brought me dinner in the tub. It was during that week that my big toe suffered a colossal bruise that it�s only now recovered from.

Rehearsals for fall began even before school started. I won�t forget that autumn � Heaven knows my feet won�t let me. The back of my heels bear scars from breaking in my dance shoes. The scars were worth it, though, as was all the hours of rehearsal when more sensible teenagers were at home doing nothing. At my very first show choir competition, we won � absolutely swept out the competition � an unexpected surprise, as so many members were new and inexperienced. But the tradition lived on; the monster of FFE was alive! And I was part of it. It was some time around then that I truly turned into an FFE junkie. My conversations revolved around the latest rehearsal gossip; my social life sacrificed itself for nightly practices from 6:30 to 9:30. I tap-danced down the halls at school chanting �step-shu-ffle-hop-step-ball-change� until I felt like Ginger Rogers.

It is in the winter of my sophomore year that I can truly chart my descent into insanity � juggling homework, FFE, and the high school musical. Competition season truly heats up during winter, with practices every night. Sleep? What�s that? Exhaustion was distilled from a potion of homework and late nights.

The cold winter months, accented with early midnight rides home on a freezing bus, also brought the group closer together. It was then that the girls of FFE started our �when in doubt, shimmy it out!� chant, now pre-show tradition. We learned to perform, as our director Mr. Smith said, �not to win, but as winners,� and became a lean, mean, singing-dancing machine. Taking first place became routine, as did falling asleep over my history homework the next day.

Our annual Cabaret in Findlay officially ends the FFE season � season being a relative term, of course. Am I looking forward to next year, given that my feet are purpley-scarred and my brain cells are numbed? Absolutely. The thrill of performing, the bonds made with the other group members, are worth every drop of sweat, every moment of �great goodness, how am I going to survive this?�

Last year�s seniors graduated more than a month ago, and dewy-eyed first years have taken their place. The 2004/2005 group has already made its way through its first hurdle of the year � summer camp. I don�t know how many will end up with feet covered with battle scars, and how many will resign their sanity to the cause. But I hope that they, too, think the sacrifices are worth it, and that their first year in Findlay First Edition is as wonderful as mine was.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws