Four years have led to the saddest goodbye of senior year.

The goodbye to my spot in the Majestics Line.

I can still remember this time four years ago- Ms. Low’s voice from the microphone.

“Senior Cassie Askin, please remove your hat and give your spot in the line to Rookie Jayme Allen.” I walked timidly forward towards a crying senior as she undid her hat and placed it on my head, and was then crowned by the upcoming sergeants.

I was beyond thrilled. I was elated, to put it lightly.

One by one, my friends were donned with the trademark sequined drill team hat, a treasured rite of passage.

Every year on the last night of the spring showcase, seniors and rookies take part in the Hat Ceremony, where graduating Majestics must give their spot in the line to a new team member, and are crowned as Majestic Evermores.

I will have to do the same in just a few short days, and I don’t think it’s really hit me yet.

I mean, I am definitely excited to be done with grueling year round early morning practices, and to be through with the stress of getting a show ready, but I haven’t had time to fully realize what that means. Once I’m done with this show, I’m, well, done.

Last year I was the one to crown the seniors, and I cried as each one walked up to me after giving their hat away. I am in no way prepared for that to be me.

Majestics has been too good to me. It’s the one thing from high school that I know I will never forget. I’m sure my children will get tired of me telling them the same stories over and over; “When I was a Majestic we went on a cruise,” “When I was on my high school drill team I won a national title,” and “I danced in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with some of my drill team girls.” Not to mention the stories I’ve accumulated with my ‘drill team girls’ outside of performances.

Sometimes I still feel like a baby Majestic, and can’t see how it’s all gone so fast.

When I wore a hat for the first time, I had no idea how much this team would mean to me.

When I danced my sophomore show and had to lose the 2012 seniors, I was heartbroken and couldn’t imagine a Majestics team without them.

Last year I lost some of my best friends when they graduated, and thought for sure I’d hate every new girl because they symbolized the spots where my beloved 2013 seniors had once performed.

Now, after a year of coming to absolutely adore every sophomore, junior, and senior on the team, I simply can’t imagine going off next year without them.

The current sophomores are some of my favorite people in the world, and I tear up every time I think about leaving them because I wish I could be there with them as they make the rest of their Majestic Memories.

I’ve watched the juniors grow for the past two years into beautiful and amazing dancers and girls, and I am beyond excited to see how they will grow even more as seniors next year.

Then my seniors- they’re without a doubt my best friends. Next year we’ll be spread across at least four different time zones, and will be leading completely different lives.

I don’t think I’m ready for my crown, but it’ll happen anyways.

The only condolence I have is knowing I’ll be making room on the stage for new Majestics to have the same amazing experience I’ve had.