Silver Stars dance team places first at State Championships for third year in a row
The team travelled to Topeka to compete at the competition Friday, Nov. 18
November 21, 2022
The Silver Stars dance team traveled to Topeka to compete in the Kansas 6A Dance State Championships Friday, Nov. 18. For the third year in a row, the girls took home the state championship title for the first time in 6A.
As reigning 5A champions, the girls went into the competition with a lot of hope for the road ahead, but they knew the competition was going to be even more difficult this year in the 6A division.
In the preliminary round of the competition, all teams performed three separate routines: performance, band dance and fight song. These routines were all performed at different times, giving the girls a break in between performances.
After their second performance, Silver Stars dancer sophomore Chloe Lancaster already felt very proud of her team and how hard they were working.
“I think [the routine] was really good,” Lancaster said. “I’m really proud of how it went. Everyone had such amazing energy even though we were so tired.”
After the first round of performances concluded, the top six teams were announced, with only those teams staying to compete again in the finals. In their final routine, teams perform all three of their routines consecutively, requiring them to show great mental and physical stamina.
Heading into their final routine, nerves ran high across the team, according to junior Kiera Bret.
“I’m feeling really nervous but I feel confident that we’ll do the best we can,” Bret said.
After their final performance, the team ended up prevailing over Washburn Rural and Lawrence Free State who took second and third.
After winning her first state title, Silver Stars dancer sophomore Josie Mason, who is new to the team this year, could not have been happier.
“[Winning state] feels surreal,” Mason said. “This was such a huge goal of mine and to be able to accomplish it with a group of amazing teammates and friends is such a great feeling.”
While state was a huge win for the girls, their season isn’t over yet. Their performance at state will help them prepare for Nationals later this year in many ways, according to Mason.
“Winning state is a big motivator for us to do well at Nationals,” Mason said. “We now know that we can accomplish our goals and how hard we have to work for them.”
