dignified - adj. serious and somewhat formal
court - v. to act in a way that shows that you want or intend to get married
encourage - v. to make someone more determined, hopeful, or confident
committed - v. willing to give time and energy to something
informal - adj. having a friendly and relaxed quality
positive - adj. good or useful
ironic - adj. strange or funny because a situation is different from what you expected
contest - n. a struggle or effort to win or get something
decade - n. a period of 10 years
stabilize - v. to stop getting worse