What Drill Meant To Me...
The thing I loved most about Drill was the lifelong friendships that I made. One of the most memorable things for me was our Macy’s Day Parade trip as chickens! - Kristin Chong ’96
My Drill friends have been there for me through it all and I am so fortunate to have them in my life. My favorite trips were ESPN and Seattle for sure. - Jana (Nishioka) Takemura ’99 - 5 years in Drill Team
I learned that I I really didn’t realize how much dance meant to me until I didn’t have it anymore... I love dancing. If it weren’t for Drill, I know I wouldn’t be able to have gotten to where I am now. Drill will always be my dance family. - Laurie Sasaki ’09 - 12 years in Drill Team
The life lesson that I learned and applied to all areas of my life after Drill is the one on Integrity. Integrity is honesty and doing what is right even when no one is watching... Integrity is a lesson that can take you far in life and make the quality of life worth much more. - Reyna Fujii ’06 - 9 years in Drill Team
In Drill, you learn responsibility, leadership, and dedication. These are all important lessons that Drill fosters, but Drill is more than just a team. When you become a member of the team you are becoming a member of a family. It is in this environment that Mrs. Young and Febray have taught me the most important life lesson: To Be Yourself. - Kelli Grobe ’05 - 13 years in Drill Team
One of the most important values that Drill has instilled in myself, is discipline. I remember the numerous and intense practices we had to prepare for the ESPN Dance Competition during my senior year. My mind and my body was pushed to its limits and all I wanted to do was stop and take a break. In the end, all that hard work and dedication paid off because I was in better condition to help my team come in 4th and 6th amongst hundreds of other teams. Having discipline not only helped me in Drill, but in life as well.
I used to be shy, but through dance, it not only showed me another way to express myself, but it helped me to break out of my shell and taught me to be a strong, confident, yet caring individual. Drill is not only a dance team, it’s a second family that you can rely on for love and support. I am truly blessed to have had Drill a part of my life! - Karli Kodama ’05 - 11 years in Drill Team
Some Lessons I Learned From Drill...
My Most Memorable Lesson: Good Sportsmanship and Humility - I remember when we lost at Star Search in Florida, we ran straight to the bathroom to cry. We felt like we let our parents, Mrs. Young, and Febray down. Mrs. Young told us to be proud of ourselves, that we did the best we can, and to hold our heads up high.
My freshman year of high school, I had the honor to go to Florida again with the First Priority. Mrs. Young and Febray suggested we bring treats to give away to the other competitors. After the long competition, we placed 2nd out of 150 teams and to us, this was a win! When we came back to the hotel, another dance team threw a celebration “party” for us. They had signs all over the place congratulating us.
If we had not ventured out to make new friends, we would not have gotten a huge celebration thrown for us! I am not sure how I would have been as a captain or a person had we not lost in Star Search and learned the valuable lesson of good sportsmanship and humility. - Erin (Suzawa)Tajima ’99 - 11 years in Drill Team
TESTIMONIALS
Drill Team Hawaii was my second home for 11 years. Through
my time there I learned the basic techniques of dance as well as some
of the core values in life, which helped me become the dancer and person
I am today, technically as well as stylistically. The friendships I made
and the lessons I have learned will be forever instilled in me. - Kimi
Lung
Being a member of the First Priority developed my confidence
and taught me that when you put your mind to something and work hard,
you can do anything. It gave me a sense of belonging, (and during your
teenage years that is important) taught me the true meaning of teamwork,
commitment and developed me spiritually. Penny is such an inspirational
leader and someone who recognizes each “girl” as an “individual”
and builds upon her strengths and is able to bring out the best in them.
This in turn helps us to build the team as we work towards a common goal
and she makes it fun along the way. (Penny was like a mother to many of
the team members) Many of these lessons have helped me through life and
have contributed to my success personally and professionally. I consider
being part of the First Priority a turning point in my life and always
reflect upon it fondly. - Nona Kawauchi
