It's her 16th birthday, and this is the day of her party. Sweet 16. She invited her friends, of course. What girl wouldn't? But when the party hour came, not one friend showed up. She was alone.
Or so she thought.
In that same hotel was a group of high schoolers (and high schoolers-to-be) from the Mankato area. When they learned what had happened to this girl, they decided to make sure her night didn't end as sad as it had begun.
The Mankato kids in Rhode Island this week are the 77 Lancers. They're on their annual trip, which will make stops in New York City, Boston and Niagara Falls. And instead of just hearing about this 16-year-old stranger and going about their business, they took her into the fold. They talked with her, they invited her to their talent show -- where one Lancer did a vocal rendition of "Jar of Hearts" that had people in tears -- and when they assembled for their dance, they invited the girl to that, too.
From what my daughter says (her name is Emma, plays clarinet) the girl ended up having a great night.
When I heard this story from Emma over the phone the other night, I felt awful for that girl. How crappy must it be to have NO ONE show up to your 16th birthday party? But at the same time, I was so, so proud of those kids, and proud of my daughter for being a part of it.
Before my daughter was in Lancers, we'd heard how close the kids become when they're involved in their season, and how much so many of them look forward to the next Lancer season once the current one ends. And to tell you the truth, I never really understood it. Now, after listening to the joy in her voice these past few days, and hearing the story of how they saved a stranger's birthday party just by being nice to her ... I think I get it now.
I'm officially a very proud Lancer parent.
Yep, got one of those kids in my family.
ReplyDeleteThen let's both consider ourselves lucky!
ReplyDeleteI'm also experiencing a slight case of reverse homesickness. I want my little girl home now!
Yay! This makes me happy to be from Mankato! I am proud of the Lancers, what a great thing to do.
ReplyDeleteProud to say my daughter was a part of this wonderful group of girls! The whole Lancer group is an amazing group of kids with refreshing values!!
ReplyDeleteI am proud to say I've had not one but two Lancers in my family. The skills and ethics they learned as Mankato 77 Lancers have served them both well as they've gone on to other things in their lives.
ReplyDeleteIt comes as no surprise that this years' Lancers would reach out to this girl to make sure she had a special night, even though it didn't go as originally planned. The Lancers have a history of including EVERYONE in their group - they have no auditions and will find a place for anyone who wants to join in the fun - so to include this young lady and make her an "honorary Lancer" makes perfect sense.
I'm so proud to say I've been a "Lancer Mom" and will always be a Lancer supporter! Way to GO, Lancers!!!
The Lancers are the coolest! Go Lancers! Wahoo! Yeah. : )
ReplyDeleteGreat job!!!!! You should all be proud to be Lancers!!
ReplyDeleteI am one proud "Lancer Mom"! Lancers you have found the true depths of your heart & soul on your tour east. Your Luminous, Amazing, Noble, Creative, Extraordinary, Remarkable & Superior Lancer Pride was in the form of welcoming a young 16 year old girl into your hearts. You now know that the scores & competitions are always great, but you just showed everyone what a Lancer is really about. Making changes in lives, embracing those around you & creating extraordinary memories. To have this young girl be an "honorary Lancer" there isn't a better gift out there to give. You made a difference in someone else's life & a memory she will carry with her to eternity. Imagine what she can tell all those other friends that she celebrated her 16th birthday with 80 plus new friends from Minnesota & attended a dance too. The Lancers before you & those Lancers to come after you, will continue to lead by example. You have trusted in your heart, touched the real depths of your soul during this incredible journey & your peak performance came to a young girl. Scores are great, but the memories you just made on your east coast tour & what you did because you wanted to & because it is what Lancers do are pale in comparison to the scores you receive. This is really what the lifelong friendships, memories, trusting your heart & leading the way.
ReplyDeleteI am very proud & always will be of my three "Lancers" who are now young adults. They too learned, followed their hearts & found out just who they were & they were and still are proud to be "Lancers." You have a drive, determination & ethics like no other. It isn't about an individual person when you are a Lancer, it is simple we are Lancers & we are family. Your family just grew by one special young heart that you took time to touch & her family grew by many. Now you know in your heart what being a "Lancer" really means & is.
We are so very proud of each of you, & we are not surprised. Continue to be proud & carry the Lancer pride. And once you are a Lancer you are forever a Lancer. I will for ever shout it that I have been a "Lancer Mom" & still am & will be behind you all the time & following in your hearts. You have & continue to amaze and inspire those around you. Treasure those memories & the times that you have. Know that you are loved & we are extremely proud to let it be known that yes, Lancers are special & they do so much more than march, perform & entertain us. We are blessed to have you in our community.
You made a difference & that is what counts because it is from your heart.
We will all be looking forward to your safe arrival home & the performances coming up. What an awesome way to add something special to your season.
The smile on her face will be remembered always. The girl's mother was so grateful. The kids made sure Tina was included all night even during the Lancer Hymn. I am so proud to be a Lancer parent and chap.
ReplyDeleteHow proud the Lancers can be of this outstanding behavior. How proud we parents and chaps can be of them. How proud the Mankato area should be to know that our 77 Lancers are such awesome representatives of our community! I know first hand as a Lancer mom of three, as a many time chaperone, as a former parent board member, that these youth are the ones we want to be our future leaders. So please support them at their garage sale, buy fruit & raffle tickets from them, attend next weeks Pie in the Park and come out to their final concert and show them how much we appreciate them! Be proud of your accomplishments and behavior Lancers and never let these things change. You vets are showing the rookies the expectations. I am proud to call each of you my kids. ~Mama J.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I would like to thank the 77 Lancers for including us in their activities on Fri. July 1st. I would also like to thank their parents for having such a great bunch of boys and girls who were so open to including total strangers when we all know we have tried to warn them of all the problems they could have incurred by doing so. Also, to the area residents... please help support these wonderful kids with ALL their efforts at fund raising because they deserve to have not only that but so much more! Good Luck from "The Mom"
ReplyDeleteI still come back and read these comments ... We're quite lucky to have in our community a group of kids that could have pulled this off.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for next season!