This will be the final blog in the series “Secrets From the Judges Room” (or whatever I’ve been calling this). This last section is one that I hope most parents and dance teachers will read to, or discuss with, their students. It is a part of competition that people do not realize can affect the scores, and that is competitors’ ATTITUDES (and I do not mean the dance move). I have seen "poor sportsmanship" at every age level, in every city, every year. It breaks my heart to see it, but the bottom line is no one likes to lose and some don't handle it as well as others. However, the judges see it too! An extreme example: Solo awards, about 5 years ago (this is a true story), 9-10 year old placed 2nd in overall with an Elite TOP 1st score. When her name was called for that placement she stomped up to the mike and refused to speak. Then WHAM it happened. A pint size powerhouse assaulted me with a light up toy that was purchased from my very own gift table. Right between the eyes, a swirling multi colored light up top. It came at me so fast from behind her little rhinestone back I didn't much time to react, but I think I deflected the full hit with the microphone. She then spun on her Capezios and stomped back to her seat, 2nd place medal around her neck, but not for long I might add. Was I hurt? Not for long, no not physically, but it sticks with me to this day. It saddens me and keeps me on guard when giving pint size awards. But, as extreme as this was, the bottom line is the judges who were watching awards witnessed this. They were shocked, and I do believe it affected her scores the rest of the weekend. Should it have...not sure. But it is human nature that when one sees such behavior they tend to not favor them for a while. In the course of a one, two or three day competition you don't have much time to redeem your personal character after this. I know this is extreme, but I see versions of this each weekend, kids on the verge of tears or real tears after placements are announced. Sulking, faces made across the stage, older kids flipping off a competitor. I hear the snide remarks as I stand on stage. Dancers will curse on stage when they make mistakes (even during the dance). They throw shoes, hats, costume parts, water bottles, little sisters (just kidding, I think) when they are in the wings after a performance. Many times, however, they are not far enough into the wings and are witnessed by the judging team. If and when the judges see this, it sticks in their minds. I would not want to come back and dance for three professional people who have themselves lived the "hard knocks" of being a dancer after behaving like this. Dancers, keep it in check. As one of our Senior Scholarship winners wrote in his winning essay this year, "Save it for the car". We have all participated in the “competition bash drive home”. I don't believe anyone who says they haven't. It is part of competition, good or bad. But saving it for the car gets it out of the sight of people who in this small world we call DANCE might have a future impact on something: A score, an audition, maybe an award. Bottom line! Let's all strive for Elite TOP 1st competition attitudes! That goes for parents and teachers too! That my adult friends is my final blog in this series! KIM