Ti’Ana Marshall

The crowd holds its breath, waiting for the beat to drop. Sweat drips from the competitors’ faces as determination hugs their faces. Who will be the champion?

The University Center is always humming with the sounds of busy students marching to and fro. This day, however, was different. This day was serious business—music business that is.

Sounds from the popular Just Dance 2014 game erupted through the speakers as a voice boomed “Step up! Show your moves!” Several students rose up to the challenge. The prize? Every college student’s dream of course—a cotton t-shirt and bragging rights.

Two by two hopefuls stepped up to the plate, busting a move and maybe an ankle, popping, locking, dropping, and not stopping. This was no longer just a game! Real life decisions were being made. Winning became crucial.

As the students shimmied and shook, the couches became crowded creating a mixture of cheers “Go bestfriend! Move those shoulders!” and hot tunes from the previous year.

Then the moment of truth arrived. Only two left barely standing, shaking in anticipation as the final song was picked. A face off had come quickly. Malique and Marina. Who would be the victor? One wrong shoulder shake would determine it all. This was all or nothing.

The crowd grew silent, nothing but the clicks from the remote filled the air as the two made their final selection.

“Just Dance!” A harmony of mashed up songs broke the silence, leaving the tension and two students left to dancing to their fate. “Move! You’ve got this!” The crowd had grown, clearly divided amongst the two claiming favorites.

The song slowed announcing the end of a competition and the birth of a new champion.
Both competitors hunched over, breathing heavily, the crowd holding their breath awaiting the final countdown to award the winner.

There could only be one.

“Marina Garza!” Cheers erupted as she wiped her face, and in good sportsmanship high-fived her competitor.

A competition had ended, friendships remained, and a new champion was born.