Sunday, October 10, 2010

Alumni Show Recap!

Randy and some of the Young Ambassador Alumni
After Homecoming Spectacular, we had the opportunity to share our Saturday rehearsal with many Young Ambassador Alumni. The Alumni were very excited to see what we had prepared. We were excited as well, but also a little nervous to have our first audience. As we went through the run- through, Randy explained the various video clips that would play between each number. For the first time, we heard the full idea of the show and it actually felt like we had a show rather than 20 random numbers! We began to see how wonderful the show would be as we started to understand it’s true message. Although it was a ton of fun, the run-through definitely had it’s ups and down’s. Some of the more recently learned numbers were shaky and we could feel the nerves set in as we saw the work we had left to do.  But on the other hand, many of our numbers were impressive and almost ready. As I watched and performed, I felt the power of the slow moments in the show and I know the Alumni felt it as well. The spirit was so strong as we performed and left us, as well as the audience, in tears. 
It is such a wonderful opportunity to be apart of a show that’s main purpose is sharing the gospel?! We have so far to go, but really we have come so far. Our very imperfect show filled the audience with the spirit. Just imagine how powerful a perfect show could be. I don’t think that anyone should feel discouraged about our performance, but empowered by it. With the Lord’s help we can create a show that will fill the audience with the Spirit and soften hearts. Keep working YA’s! It’s worth it!

The BYU Homecoming Spectacular: The Best Show in Town!


Some Young Ambassadors with Co-Host Stephen Jones
After years of tradition, the Young Ambassadors again had the wonderful opportunity performing in the well-loved BYU Spectacular. The theme of this year’s show was “Dare to Discover,” and the highlighted figures were Harvey Fletcher, a famous BYU Audio Physicist and Summerissa Bell, our very own Young Ambassador who had her face plastered over every BYU UTA bus and Spectacular Playbill. She is quite the celebrity now.
We had the privilege this year to perform with such groups as the BYU Ballroom Dance Company, Cougarettes, Women’s Chorus, Contemporary Dance Theatre, Percussion Ensemble and the very melodious Philharmonic Orchestra. Each group was stunning in their execution of their artistic craft and all of us YA’s enjoyed watching them perform.
Our Emcees were Brad Wilcox and Stephen Jones. Brad Wilcox, one of our Young Ambassador Alumni’s, did us all proud with his humor and quick wit along with Stephen Jones, the YouTube comedy star from BYU. With both of their hilarious acts put together they made a very appetizing “Celestial Sandwich,” of stand up performance. (see the The Harold B. Lee Library YouTube Advertisement 'Study like a Scholar, Scholar')
The YA Girls before the Spectacular!
With only a little over a month of rehearsal, with the help of all of our great directors and choreographers, we were able to put together two numbers for the show. We performed ‘Got So Far to Go’ from Hairspray and ‘Through Heaven’s Eyes” from Prince of Egypt. As Randy prepped us before our show, he helped us to give off as much light from within ourselves as possible. This encouragement helped us to give a spectacular performance and we were able to bless the lives our audience members.
Since the BYU Spectacular is over we all are hyped for our upcoming performances. We’re just glad that we had the opportunity to share and perform in BYU Spectacular this year. It really was the Best show in town.


Here is an advertisement for the BYU Spectacular featuring some of the Young Ambassadors!




Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Monthly Motto for October: 2 Nephi 9:52

“…remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.”  (2 Nephi 9:52)
It has been said that the sin of ingratitude is more serious than the sin of revenge. With revenge, we return evil for evil, but with ingratitude, we return evil for good.” (Marvin J. Ashton)  
We are not to compare ourselves with others, but were we to do so; we would see just how much the Lord has blessed us, each in our own way.  Those differences do not serve to rank us, but to show God’s love for us individually.  Even in our darkest times God is blessing us much more than we realize.  When we learn to recognize this our perspective changes.  We become optimistic, happy, humble, less self-centered, and more confident in our relationship with God.  Then we can truly “Let our hearts rejoice.”