This past week the Rosettes travelled to Chicago for an out-of-state trip. While they were there, the Rosettes took a dance master class, went shopping, and participated in touristy events.

Leaving at 5 a.m. last Thursday morning, the Rosettes flew to Chicago. After landing at Chicago-O’hare Airport, they hopped on buses to visit Cloud Gate, The Bean, in Millenium Park. Later they visited the Water Tower: a 7-story shopping mall. Most of the first day was spent at the Water Tower, and later that night they ate at Bubba Gump’s at Navy Pier.

Friday morning, the Rosettes took a master class from one of Chicago’s best choreographers, Kate Jablonski, who taught a jazz-contemporary routine. Six Rosettes, juniors Elaina Alspach, Sydney Reinacher, Kensey Kirby, and Kelly Morrow, and freshmen Claire Medinis and Grace Olfers won scholarships for $100 off her summer intensive in July of 2015.

“I loved taking a class from her,” junior Elaina Alspach said. “One of my favorite things about dancing is how everyone has her own style, so taking classes from different choreographers is such a fun experience.”

After the master class, the Rosettes walked around downtown Chicago shopping and enjoyed the city. Most Rosettes tried a famous Chicago hot dog from Portillo’s: a popular restaurant downtown.

The last event of the day on Friday was seeing the Joffrey Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. The ballet was performed by some of Joffrey’s company dancers along with company trainees. It was a classic performance with stunning costumes and choreography that blew the audience away.

“I see the Nutcracker every year, but this performance was just outstanding,” junior Aislyn O’Bannion said.

On Saturday the Rosettes visited the Museum of Science and Industry. They had the opportunity to tour a German U-boat from World War II and explore the world of science. One exhibit showed how different types of storms and natural disasters work. Other exhibits showed everything from the stages of life to the process of cloning  animals.

Saturday night the Rosettes went on a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Dinner was held on a yacht and a DJ entertained the night away. Unfortunately almost a third of the team got sea-sick. On the cruise the boat swayed enough to knock people down.

“Even though everyone was getting sea-sick, I had the time of my life on the dance floor,” junior Bailey Lewis said. “I was even dancing with some of the chaperones.”

The last day in Chicago, Sunday, was spent at the Shedd Aquarium. The team got to spend three hours roaming the building exploring underneath the sea. A group of Rosettes even got to witness a seahorse give birth. After the aquarium, the girls went to Giordano’s, a deep-dish pizza restaurant. The Rosettes then proceeded to the airport to return home after a fun-filled week spent in one of America’s favorite cities.