The Definition

Boring, Egotistic, Goody-goody! Labels are titles given to us all regardless of whether we encourage them or not. Gracie Arnett approved of most of the lables given to her throughout her life, but the one thing you could not call her was someone who could not dance. This is exactly what Mrs. Robinson, the coach of her school's majorette squad, did.

It was the fall of 1972, try-out season. Gracie had already gotten into the school band and been ordained vice president of the student council, but there was one more title she had her eyes on, majorette. "A majorette!" her sister Birdia exclaimed, "but you like to read books and hang out at the library. What do you know about being a majorette?" Gracie stormed off to her room. Once she had her mind set on something, she was determined to follow through on it, and she was going to try out for the squad, regardless of support at home. She soon found out that others had doubts about her talents, mainly Mrs. Robinson, the coach of the team. Mrs. Robinson refused to let her try out. Not only did she believe that Gracie could not dance, but she also did not want her on the team because she came from a working-class family. Her mother and older sister were both maids. Outraged, gracie spoke to the school's principal who forced the coach to let her try out. In the end, she made the team, but she had to earn her team's respect.

The first basketball game of the season had finally arrived. If there ever was a time to shine, this was it. Gracie found herself nervous while going over the routine and her solo in her head. She knew she had something to prove, not only to Mrs. Robinson and her sister Birdia but to herself. The half time buzzer rang, and the majorettes marched onto the center of the court. The lights dimmed and the funk hit "Pop That Thang" by The Isley Brothers began to play. Gracie broke out into the routine like an old pro and when it came time for her solo, she danced so hard that she kicked off the tassels on her new boots. The crowd broke into a roar as her sister Susie, who helped her create the solo, screamed, "If you can't do it like I told you, do it like I showed you!" Composing herself, Gracie simply marched passed Mrs. Robinson and smiled. There was no need for an apology from Mrs. Robinson in Gracie's mind. Actions speak louder than words and her actions had spoken plenty. The following semester, Gracie became captain of the majorette squad. "Hey, bookworms can dance their asses off too," she often exclaims. Indeed, they can.