Dance Team National Title
Photo provided by Lauren Seurer
The varsity dance team departed for their annual trip to Disney World to compete at the UDA National Dance Team Championship on Thursday, February 1st. For the past two years, the team has accomplished something they never had before in each competition. In 2016, they got second in hip-hop. In 2017, they made it to the final ten in both jazz and hip-hop. However, in 2018 is when they would have their biggest achievement of all.
At 7:30 p.m. on February 4, 2018, Fort Zumwalt West history was made. As each team was given their placing for hip-hop, the anticipation rose. When second place was announced, Collierville High School, the West high girls knew they had won their first ever national award, and they could not hold back their excitement.
“I cannot even describe the feeling of not hearing our name called for second place,” junior Mallory Rodell said. “Usually, you are not supposed to celebrate, you’re supposed to let the other team celebrate, but we could not contain our excitement. I immediately dropped to the floor and started bawling. There is no greater feeling. [There are] not enough words to describe that moment.”
The hard work that the dancers had tirelessly put in throughout the entire season had finally paid off. The hashtag created by the team earlier this summer, #TdubC, served as a motto for them throughout the entirety of the year. It remained a secret to all non-dancers until now and was finally revealed to mean “together we can”. The end goal was to focus at each practice and rep, because they knew they had the necessary skills and drive.
“Our mindset throughout the season has been that we know that we are capable of winning the title, so we just need to go out there and prove that we are the team that deserves it,” freshman Lauren Seurer said.
As some seniors prepare to pass the torch on to the juniors and underclassmen behind them, they are already preparing for how they are going to get back to the finals again next year and what the next step is on their trail to further success.
“Personally, my next step with next year being my senior year is to lead my team to another great season,” Rodell said.
This is one of the most decorated dance teams that the school has ever seen, and there is no doubt that the accolades will continue to follow. This was one of the final competitions for the team, and the seniors’ final performance under the West guise will be at the variety show in the spring.