The dance team ended its competition season at Ottawa High School on Feb. 8 after placing first in both hip-hop and pom but not meeting the point threshold to qualify for the state tournament. The team marked the end of their season with a performance at ArtsFest on Feb. 26.
Co-captain Sonali Shaw was proud of the team’s performance, despite not qualifying, and saw the team’s growth throughout the season, she said.
Earlier in the season, the team placed first in both hip-hop and pom at a competition at Phoenix Military Academy on Jan. 19. One challenge the team faced was the short time period between competitions to implement feedback and make changes to their dances.
“ We had to do a lot of practicing,” Sonali said. “We had to re-choreograph some things, and then there’s always this question of making sure that when you’re re-choreographing something, it actually looks better.”
At the end of their season, the dance team celebrated senior members, a moment that highlighted the team’s bond.
“ I think that’s a really special moment and it kind of, you know, it shows that … we’re not just there to dance together,” Sonali said. “We’re also a team in the community sense.”
