Yes, She Can Can

So, what did she do? Well, on August 31 of this year, the Australian news publication Daily Mail reported that Kirsten May, a cheerleader for the Penrith Panthers, a professional rugby team from Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, auditioned for and won the opportunity to perform the can-can at Paris's famous Moulin Rouge.

Yes, this is the same Moulin Rouge which has existed for years and enjoyed a renewed interest thanks to the movie by the same name which starred Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The can can dance, which includes cartwheels, splits, and high kicks, as well as other acrobatics, along with dancing, was what made the Moulin Rouge so famous, and Kirsten was given a chance to learn and perform it.

Kirsten beat out 50 other contestants to win the spot at Moulin Rouge. No doubt the fact that she has been dancing since the age of 2 had something to do with her success.

This was a major adventure and tremendous undertaking for her. By her own admission, she has always lived in Penrith, and has never lived alone in a foreign country. Still, she was grateful for the opportunity, and said she was looking forward to learning the acrobatics and dance routines that comprise the can can dance.

Kirsten was scheduled to leave for Paris at the end of September. Once there, she would be instructed in the can can dance. After her training period, she would then perform on stage twice a night, six nights a week.

Kirsten would have another Australian with which to share her adventure. Shikye Smith also won a spot and both were scheduled to be in Paris performing. You may be wondering what this has to do with cheerleading, besides the fact that Kirsten is a cheerleader. Look again at the paragraph which describes the can can and the acrobatic moves involved. Anyone who has participated in or watched a cheerleading competition has seen those exact same moves executed during a routine.

Further, cheerleading requires that you be used to performing in front of an audience, whether it is a crowd at a rugby tournament or an audience at a cheerleading competition. Doing so inspires confidence and self-esteem, both of which are vital for success in your personal and professional life. Kirsten is to be congratulated for reaching for and achieving such a high goal. May we all take courage from her success.