As the dance team’s season comes to an end, the team held their spring showcase where friends and family can come in and watch every routine they have learned through the season, and watch them be recognized for their achievements. Between dances they were able to recap some of their favorite moments throughout the season.
“[My favorite memories were during] football season, just having fun with my friends and supporting the team,” sophomore Avery Lewis said. “I felt like, especially during halftime and [on the] sidelines, we were all just yelling for each other and supporting each other and always being like, ‘You guys are doing amazing!’”
There were many awards given out at the showcase but the one that showed the biggest impact, no pun intended, was the impact award given to junior Layauna Nelson.
“When I think of this dancer, [I think of] everything from being a team player, a great friend, or a mentor in the school. She always has a smiling face on,” Coach Marissa Pablo said. “She really makes an impact within our school, and [Layauna] is doing that on the team as an amazing dancer, but also on the team as a mentor within the school walls as well.”
When the dance team gets hard, there is one strength that the team tries to let shine throughout every day, whether they are together or apart, and that is encouragement.
“[Something that kept me going was] just knowing that my team was always there for me and we were there for each other. No matter what, we’re going to get through it and it’s going to turn out amazing in the end.” Lewis said.
For anyone who is considering joining the dance team, there is a big commitment to practice and events you have to attend.
“I would say if you want to join, you definitely should. It’s so fulfilling, because dance is a lot,” freshman Lyla Crawford said.
The dance team also wanted shouted out Coach Pablo and Assistant Coach Lisa Codding for everything they have done for them throughout the season
“[Pablo] makes sure that we can handle what we’re doing. But at the same time, she’s hard on us because she knows what we can do. She pushes us to our potential, and that’s one of the things that she says a lot. And it’s because she knows that we can do better,” senior Maddox Bennett said. “I can’t even think about how much I’ve grown since I started dancing sophomore year.”
After the awards ceremony, the team presented Bennett with a $500 scholarship to put towards her future.
“I’m planning, hopefully on going to the University of Illinois Chicago. I’m touring there over spring break, and I’m almost 100% sure that I’m going there, I’ll be going [there for] criminology, law, and justice.” Bennett said.
