It’s Spirit Week at Fontbonne this week, so there’s many special events to attend for us students. My favorite event of the week had to be the Cardinals game this past Tuesday. Throughout the year, Fontbonne provides us with the opportunity for discounted sports tickets. We got these tickets to the first night game of the season for just $12!

Going into Tuesday, I was so looking forward to the game. I was pretty much sleeping during any “free time” in the days prior, so a night of baseball was much needed! After some stressful complications with my car (don’t ask), my roommate and I finally made it to the game.

Our seats were in right field, so we had a pretty good view of everything. I sat back, relaxed, and for the next two hours watched my favorite team win. There was even a home run by Matt Adams, just the third of his major league career. I love the atmosphere at Busch Stadium, and really enjoyed being at the game. We left during the ninth, and had just made it outside the stadium when the winning fireworks went off. It’s such a sight in downtown St. Louis!

I am lucky to go to a university that provides its students with such perks. Last night Fontbonne hosted Dueling Pianos, and that was really entertaining. Spirit Week continues tonight with a movie in the DSAC, and tomorrow the Griffin Girls are performing during the Mr. Fontbonne competition.

Thanks for reading! Until next week..

Today I was able to incorporate the two things I enjoy most in my life: dance and fashion. As a fashion merchandising student in HES205: Apparel, Production, and Evaluation, I got the opportunity go to Weissman. Weissman is a dance costume and dancewear company with headquarters located right here in St. Louis. My class used today to visit Weissman, and offer a real-life application to what we have been learning in class. I have worn Weissman costumes in the past, and own a few pieces from their dancewear brand Balera.

I have been dancing since I was five years old, and continue to dance today on the Griffin Girls dance team. I am used to dancing year round, and absolutely love it. I was initially so excited to visit the company, but did not know exactly what to expect.

My excitement for Weissman’s only grew upon visiting the company. I cannot express how I felt. It was a perfect combination of what I love most, and really got me thinking that this is something I could do with my degree. I have often thought of how sad I will be when I do decide to stop dancing, but working with a dance costume and dancewear company like Weissman would fill that void in my life. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their inventory and design departments, and touring the headquarters. I was able to see meeting rooms, photoshoot locations, the warehouse where they sew and cut garments, and the place where they evaluate finished sample garments. All the colors, sequins, and textures kept my eyes busy the entire time. I was really interested in learning that not only does Weissman go to competitions to gain inspiration, but also to trade shows. A dance costume/dancewear company combines everything I love about fashion and everything I love about dance!

This visit really got me thinking that I might try to intern at Weissman in the future. They have marketing, merchandising, and product development internships available. If I could live my life with both dance and fashion I would be so incredibly happy. I think that this is definitely an area I understand and have experience in. I left the visit so elated, but only time will tell if this is really for me. If not, today was still an experience I will cherish.

Until next week..

Last month was my last official performance as a Fontbonne Griffin Girl!

For those of you who don’t know, Griffin Girls is the Dance Team at Fontbonne.

We mostly just perform at the halftime of the Men’s Basketball Games, but I know that the team is looking to grow by performing at other events and even going to dance conferences/conventions in the future (which I sincerely hope that they do so).

I have discussed my love for dancing in a previous blog post before, which you can read here.

However, I’d like to use this blog post to dedicate my love to the Griffin Girls, which has been such a big part of my experience here at Fontbonne.

Below are some pictures we took at our last basketball performance for the season.

Seniors on Griffin Girls (I also wish that Erica N. and Kelly could be in this picture)! I wish them all the best after graduation!

I love my team!

This is the lovely Conner, who helped me so much this school year with choreography! She is amazing!

This is the super sweet Heather, who happens to be both a Griffin Girl and a Student in one of Fontbonne's Graduate Programs! I have so much respect for her being able to do both.

This is Katelyn, currently our only Freshman on the team. I wish her all the best in her future years on the team and at Fontbonne.

This is my fellow Dancer and Senior Speech Language Pathology Friend, Lee! Our experiences go way back to Freshman Year together.

This is Shannon and she is such a star! I'm amazed by how great she is with not having as much dance technique experience as some of us.

This is Miss Kristen! She makes some of the best faces and is just super rad.

This is the fabulous Tabitha, who tries to do it all! I feel like I've been involved with so many things with her that I can't even keep count of them all. I'm amazed by how much she does, but I also hope that she finds the time to rest.

This is Adrienne! I've had the privilege of being in classes like Yoga and Psychology with her, which have been great. It's been so wonderful to be on the team with her as well.

This is Katy! She always brings so much power and energy into her performances, and I admire her for that.

This is my wonderful Coach Mandie, who has helped guide us all these years. She has basically been the team's mother and one of our biggest supporters.

I’m going to miss dancing with all of these beautiful ladies so much, and I wish all the best for them!

This is the Griffin Girls at our first performance this school year at Fontbonne's Griffinsanity Event.

Peace, Love, & Griffin Girls.

Today, as all of you know, is Valentine’s Day. I do have that special someone in my life I would have loved to be with, but because of school we were unable to be together. So what’s a girl to do when she’s alone on Valentine’s Day? Girl’s night!

Tonight, after Griffin Girls practice,  most of the team decided to get together with too many desserts, bond, and watch a movie. So we made our way to the Griffin’s Nest and after a long discussion opted not to watch a romantic movie, and settled on Burlesque! Our season with dance is almost over, but it was really nice to get one more get together in before it ends. It’s great that Fontbonne provides spaces like the Griffin’s Nest where we can all hang out together. Us girls shared many laughs tonight, and had as good as a time as any couple would have! The Griffin’s Nest is outfitted with a kitchen and living area with couches, tv with dvd player, and a gaming console. There’s also a ping pong table and foosball table, but we were too tired after practice to mess with any of that. After eating too much red velvet pudding cake one of the girls made and the sugar rush faded, exhaustion set in. It has sure been another long week, but the way it ended was fabulous!

Until next week…

Wow. I can hardly believe we’re already a few weeks into the spring semester at Fontbonne. So much has happened already, and the time has flown by. Just this week there was something exciting every day.

My Monday’s this semester are packed full of classes all day and night, but Tuesday the Griffin Girls began working on one of the last dances for this year, the Guy/Girl Dance. This Wednesday, all the dancers will be joined by Fontbonne guys in a dance during halftime. This year we’re bringing back our childhood with a late 90′s mix of songs. Trivia nights are also happening Tuesday nights at Fontbonne, which excites my competitive side. Two weeks ago, my team won 1st place, but received 2nd last week. We’ll get ‘em next time! After all our hard work Tuesday night, we congratulated ourselves with free pancakes at IHop and they were delicious! A late night breakfast was just what I needed with exhaustion setting in too early in the week. Wednesday was much needed quality time with my roommate. Griffin Girls has kept me extremely busy this semester so far, but I was able to watch the season premiere of our favorite show, Smash, with my roommate. To anyone interested in Broadway musicals I highly recommend watching. The show is amazing!

Today was yet another day filled with homework, class, and dance. I have to admit I am exhausted, but thrilled with all that’s happening this semester. Hopefully this weekend is one that is both productive and relaxing! Thanks for reading!

Until next week..

The first semester of the school year is almost over! I can hardly believe it, partly because I have too many tests and projects to complete in the next week and a half. I’m not sure if it’s even possible to do as much as I have to, but I’m sure every other college student feels this same way this time of year. I’m not going to complain. I’m just going to buckle down and get it done because after all the tests and projects are finished it’s Christmas break!

I am so looking forward to this break. Getting so much time off can be somewhat of a bad thing because after a month of being out of school I find myself not wanting to go back, but other than that Christmas break is wonderful! I will be spending some time on campus and some time back at home this break. The Griffin Girls do not rest, and are continuing to practice throughout break so I will be experiencing some of the holiday season at Fontbonne. I am excited to be home and spend quality time with my family, friends, and others I have not really seen since the school year began. I will be spoiling my cats with cat treats daily, making sure they receive lots of love because I absolutely adore them!

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I cannot wait to get a tree to decorate and do all that Christmas shopping I have yet to start! I love the cold, and hope that we do see some snow this season. Snow on Christmas is delightful. I have a positive outlook on this holiday season, and I hope it does not disappoint!

Wishing you a Happy Holidays (and luck finishing this semester)!

Until next time…

Thanksgiving is only a few days away, and most of everyone here at Fontbonne has gone home for break. Only the few are left, including myself, but I will be driving back home this evening after dance practice for Griffin Girls. With the beginning of this holiday season, we are reminded of all that we have to be thankful for, and although Griffin Girls is preventing me from leaving for break sooner than later, it is the latest aspect of my life I am thankful for.

Dance was a part of my life for thirteen years, and upon entering college I decided for it not to be. That was a mistake. In the absence of dance I was able to realize all that is does for me. I consider dance to be my creative outlet. Everyone has one. My father’s is music, my sister’s art, but it is dance that allows me to put any frustration, happiness, or other emotion I feel somewhere, rather than holding it inside. Without dance my life seems like a mess, but with it I have a place to send anything I wish, and express how I feel. Today I am extremely thankful for the Griffin Girls dance team, all that they are and all they allow me to do. My family and others close to me will be coming to watch our performances this weekend, and I am grateful they are making the journey.

Griffin Girls at Griffinsanity

On a lighter note, I am thankful for tradition. Tomorrow I will me preparing my grandmother’s traditional holiday dessert: white pie! Many of you may not know what that is, but it is vanilla custard heaven in a pie! I’m sure next week I will be blogging more about its deliciousness and will try to include a picture. Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next week…

It has come at last!! Griffinsanity, formerly known as Late Night, is TONIGHT!! The Griffin Girl’s have been practicing and perfecting our routine! But not only will you see us perform, we have a special dance performance with….you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself!

There will be fun and games for all!! You will have the chance to meet the Men and Women’s Basketball teams and the Griffin Girls! But if that is not enticing enough, the first 75 people will receive a free GRIFFINSANITY t-shirt and a chance to win other prizes!!

Soo get PUMPED and head over to the DSAC tonight at 7pm– Dont be late!!

#Griffinsanity #GriffinNation

–Lee

Here at Fontbonne we have campus event almost every week. Basketball season is about to begin, and this year Fontbonne’s “Late Night” has turned into “Griffinsanity”. In the gym this Friday from 7-9 p.m. students, Fontbonne alumni, and others will be entertained with music, contests, boy’s and girl’s basketball scrimmages, and two performances from the Griffin Girls! As if that isn’t enticing enough, the first 75 students will receive a free Griffinsanity t-shirt!

As a part of the Griffin Girls dance team, I have been preparing for this event along with the rest of the team for the past month. We have really worked hard to make our performances the best they can be. I hope all of you try to make it, not only to see the routines, but to support Fontbonne Athletics. We have a jazz performance and a routine with special guests prepared for all who attend. Your Griffins need your support this Friday so come and check it out!

I am especially anxious about Griffinsanity this Friday. I am both nervous and excited because it will be my first dance performance in a year and a half! Whether you’re interested in dance, basketball, or just the chance of winning some neat prizes, Griffinsanity will be the place to be Friday night.

Until next week…

Is it really the last full week of October? I cannot believe how fast this first semester is flying by! It seems that each week is busier than the last. Before I know it it’ll be Thanksgiving. But that’s still a few weeks away, and I focus on the present.

This week is an exciting one for me. Today I almost completed my skirt I’m making for a fashion merchandising class (yes, the one I sewed wrong sides together and did every other possible thing wrong to last week). I can’t wait for Monday so that I can finish. The skirt is made of  maroon colored wool, high waisted, with an asymmetrical hemline and a leather waistband. Perhaps I will wear it on the fast approaching Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow I will be seeing Les Miserables at the Fox! I have never seen this opera, let alone any, and am anxious to see it. I love going to see musicals at the Fox. I am able to go because my Music Appreciation course is required to critique it, so I got a really good deal on tickets. I will be going with my roommate/best friend, and we’re making a whole day of it, beginning with a tour in the morning, lunch, and the show in the afternoon.

After the show I will have Griffin Girls practice, which is going really well. I love that I am able to dance again, and the entire team works really hard to do their best. We have already finished two routines and are beginning the third this weekend. Our first performance is November 2nd at Griffinsanity. Come check us out!

The Fall Fest is tomorrow evening, so maybe after dance I will stop by to check out what the Fontbonne clubs and organizations have going on at this point in the semester. I know students can make masks for the masquerade ball this weekend, and try to put together the best Halloween costume for a prize. With so many things to do and see this week, I wonder what next week will bring? I’m hoping for some actual fall-related weather!

Until next week…