by Kylie Gaston
For the first time in school history, the LHS dance team will be attending UDA (Universal Dance Association) Nationals, taking place from January 29th to February 2nd in Orlando, Florida.
Coach Maddie Bastian is excited about this trip to Nationals. “I am most excited to have the team dance at a bigger competition and all the team bonding that will happen when we are preparing for Nationals, along with when we are in Florida,” Bastian said.
The dance team has been preparing all summer long for this chance. Bastian said, “We have a powerful group of dancers this year, along with strong leadership from our upperclassmen and captain. It felt like this year was the year to go, as I have been thinking about this opportunity for a few years.”
Securing this opportunity is a significant achievement. “We’re the first team in the entire school to go to Nationals, so we are really excited to share this experience as a team,” senior Mikayla Bauer said.
Nationals costs a significant amount; the team is trying to raise $30,000 towards this trip, and it also requires a considerable amount of time.
“As of right now, we have spent most of our time preparing for Nationals with our fundraiser efforts. We have run a firework stand where dancers and their parents took shifts throughout the week, we have picked sweet corn and sold it, and we have also approached the community to ask about sponsorships, among other activities. We have already learned our pom choreography, which takes us about 8 hours to learn over one weekend. The team has done a great job showing up for the long events and practices,” Bastian said.
Freshman Chaeli Barry has been dancing at a studio since she was three years old. This is her first year on the dance team.
Barry said, “I’m specifically excited for getting ready to go on stage, when we’re full of nerves in our huddle, getting ready to perform and compete in front of the camera, where millions are watching us.”
Unlike Barry, this is Bauer’s 4th year on the dance team. “Over the years, my favorite part has been getting to make new friends and the experiences that we’ve made, and I can’t wait to make more while we’re in Florida.”
The LHS dance team has won 5 state championships. Now nationals is the next step for this team and their future.