The Dance Club Company Showcase - Thursday, June 30th

Tonight Maria and I went to the Dance Club Company Showcase which is esentially a publically accessable dance recital put on by Tori and Whitney's dance club. The dance teams performed 52 dances which will all be done at the NYC Dance Alliance during July 1st through 10th. Whitney will also be going on the trip and we have enlisted many of the 'dancing moms' to watch over her :-) She will be in great hands!!

There was a sign at the auditorium entrance which was titled "Tori Schmanski - our inspiration" and it contained many pictures of Tori which we hadn't seen before. Maria and I liked it very much and the emotional stage for us tonight was immediately set...

Here is a picture of the the show schedule cover which states at the very bottom: "We dedicate tonight's performance to Tori and ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers as we do. SHE IS OUR INSPIRATION!"

Ok, now on to the show!! The show tonight was absolutely spectacular and so very emotional for us and everyone else attending. All of the dancers wore yellow ribbons on their wrists in support of Tori and they gave their all in each and every one of the dance routines. Tori's routines were definitely the hardest for Maria and I to watch because we just miss her out there so badly that it hurts!! "Concrete Angel" was the one that got us the most as some of Tori's dance 'sisters' were actually crying along right with us except they were the ones doing the routine to perfection at the same time!! They all are truly talented, caring, loving and amazing friends and they are the ones who actually INSPIRE US!! Thank you girls!! All of you!!

They also had all of the dancers fill out personal questionnaires prior to the show which were read during the breaks. Most of them want to be dancers, correographers and moms and many of them also listed Tori Schmanski as the person who inspires them most. It just goes to show what a profound and positive impact that Tori had on almost everyone she met.

In closing on this lengthy blog entry, I would especially like to thank Sheryl and Chris Dowling and all of the other parents who are offering their support and prayers for Tori and our family. It is greatly appreciated and needed given the challenges ahead it truly means so, so much to us.

Sincerely,

The Schmanski Family