Last week, the St. Charles West 2021-2022 dance team performed one last time at their second night of the annual variety show.  The variety show usually consists of other groups such as jazz ensemble, orchestra, choir, and color guard, but usually tends to focus on the highlights of the Dance and Drill season.  This year, the team recognized their spirit awards at the annual NDA camp they participated in during July 2021, their 1st place placements in lyrical and prop at the state competition, and other placements at various competitions throughout the competition season.

The team started off the year under abnormal circumstances: the girls had only met their new coach Lindsay Colbert a few days before heading to their NDA summer camp, but the team quickly formed a tight bond.

“Since the dance team is so small, we all became close very quickly because of an instant connection between the six of us” says freshman dancer Kleyton Crate.

The team then continued to win an impressive amount of awards at NDA camp, including a superior rating for each girl in their class, a superior award for team routine, and many other notable accomplishments.  The team then participated at football games with various halftime performances and cheers with the cheer team.

After football season, the team began to put in more effort for competition season.  The girls placed during all of the competitions, and were even dubbed “Regional Champions” at the Fort Zumwalt North competition hosted by Dance Team Union in January 2022.  The team went to state in February 2022, and won 1st place in both their lyrical and prop routines, and came in 4th overall.

This led to the variety show season.  The second night’s variety show featured more acts such as jazz ensemble’s performances, more dances, and a special guy’s dance that featured on Thursday night.

“It was really fun and a great experience,” says freshman Owen Shy, a participator in the guy’s dance.

This variety show was the last time that seniors Natalie Friis and Joy Cowan would dance with the team.  Joy has been on the dance team for the last four years, and Natalie has been on the team for the last two years.  Both seniors have put in an extreme amount of work during their time on the team, and the St. Charles West community could not be prouder of them.

“It feels like crossing a finish line,” says senior dancer Joy Cowan, “It was so sad but I wouldn’t have wanted to share the dance floor one last time with anyone else.  These girls are my sisters and I’m going to miss them so much. During the finale, I was trying to take it all in for the final dance with them. They are truly the best teammates in the world and I’m extremely happy to have shared my senior year with them”.

“It felt like the end of an era,” says senior dancer Natalie Friis, “It was so fun doing what I love with some of my favorite people, but also heartbreaking that I have to say goodbye to such an amazing team. It could not have gone better. Everyone was just so happy to be there and we left it all on the floor!”.

With the end of the season comes new beginnings.  Dance tryouts are from May 3-6th at 4 PM after school.