A little, too late

A little too late, but still miss it ALMOST every day! Show choir nerd, that's me...but I always say TOC wasn't your typical show choir! It was a little bit of everything that is big in today's reality shows that America loves--American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance...so there! Yes, I was in Show Choir and darn proud of it! Your very own...Chantilly's Touch of Class! I proudly sported my Touch of Class sticker on my poop-brown pick-up truck (which I might add, participated in many of the Homecoming parades for the choral department dating back to 1993) and my shiny black TOC jacket that I constantly was made fun of for but STILL never took it off! Proud to say, those were some of the best days of my life (mental note-just found myself singing, "best day of my life" as I was typing this...not uncommon for me to break out into song here and there in my every day life). Singing and dancing on stage, providing entertainment, great friends, oh, the memories! I tell you, when you walk on stage, hear the first beat of the music and the lights come on...there is nothing quite like that feeling where nothing is on your mind but having fun and performing! Essentially--doing what I loved! I still remember my first Jazz & Pizzaz as if it were only yesterday--standing behind the curtain, looking at the packed audience, butterflies in my stomach, walking on stage...and then I was off--having the time of my life! Confession--after an episode of watching GLEE it won't be uncommon to find me singing and dancing in front of my bathroom mirror...

After the highly-anticipated break through show of the year, GLEE officially started last night! Now, just have to hope that show choir can carry America through and stay on air. Paragraph above, my life, many years ago, 1997-2001...and still going strong! The one and only, Touch of Class, got some recognition on FOX NEWS last night after GLEE was officially introduced to America. This was me--10 YEARS AGO--same director, same mullet--and oh yes, how can I forget...The Original CMC--mom's making costumes, and dad's building sets!! Where does time go??

Chantilly High's

Premiere Show Choir

Updated: Wednesday, 09 Sep 2009, 10:06 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 09 Sep 2009, 9:25 PM EDT

• BY PHOTOJOURNALIST DON WATRUD/myfoxdc

CHANTILLY, Va. - FOX's most anticipated show "Glee" started Wednesday night. But in our own backyard, Chantilly High School's Premiere Show Choir is shining on stage with a touch of class. As photojournalist Don Watrud shows us after 24-years of performing they're still going strong!