After a two-year hiatus, the ROHS Varsity Dance Team is back in action, performing and competing under the direction of coach Kate Clark-Martin. Captain Vivianna Thornton leads the team with co-captains Maddie Orlando and Agnes GoedekkeClark.
“Team bonding has helped us come together and get to know one another,” said sophomore Emma Fairless. “Creating a strong bond between us and improving our team dynamic and performance has been essential.”
The dance team is getting ready for competition season starting in November, where they will compete in three regional competitions at various high schools in Michigan. The excitement for the regional competitions is notable. Competition season is exciting for these dancers, with early wake-ups and late nights.
“Competition season will be amazing! We’re currently learning all of our routines for competitions,” said freshman Oliver Klink.
The dance team contributes to the ROHS community throughout the dance season, performing on the sidelines and during halftime at football and soccer games, all while preparing for the competition season.
“I’m very excited about competition season because it will be full of new experiences and opportunities for our team,” said sophomore Kendall Frentz.
Since the start of tryouts, the team has created a solid and uplifting environment. The new members, coaches, and attitude show the team’s uniqueness and difference from years prior.
“We work at a different pace than years before because we are a first-time team again. We’re taking it slower, but it’s a good difference,” said Thornton.
When not at practice or dancing under the stadium’s lights at Friday night football games, the team enjoys bonding activities, one of which was “charcuterie board night”, when each member
brought a board of snacks or sweets. Team bonding games were held, with teammates playing against each other during a ping pong tournament until Thornton (one of the team’s captains) won.
Team bonding strengthens the relationships between the members, which can be seen on and off the field. The differences from years before are obvious, as the dancers came into the season with a new coach, new uniforms, and new members.
“The dance team adds more variety to the school. It gives more people an option for a potential extracurricular,” said junior co-captain Goeddeke- Clark.
The dance team means a lot to these teammates. It allows them to express themselves and meet new people. Regardless of two years that have passed, ROHS is happy to have the dance team back and better than ever. The bond between these athletes is strong, and the student body is excited to see what the rest of their season will bring.
“Being on the dance team is one of the best parts of my high school experience. I have learned so much about myself and my team,” Frentz said. “We have all grown individually and as a group. I am so excited to see what new achievements and memories we make as the season progresses.”
