Waking up before eight o’clock in the morning is rough during the school year. Imagine waking up at this hour during the summer, too! This is just one way the dance team practices discipline . During the school year, they practice in the CCHS Green Room every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and include at least an additional three hours of dance/conditioning on their own time. The reason that the team invests so many of their precious hours in this sport is simple – it is their passion.

Many team members have used all of their passion in order to develop their skill, and have been dancing most of their lives. “I truly believe our team only has strengths,” said Ashlyn Whelan. Even the team captain, Natalie Klinge, admitted to having a ”really talented team” this year.

Even though this dance team is exceptionally talented, they are not primarily a competitive team. This was made very clear by the head coach, Ashley Monzon. She wants her students to have fun and enjoy the sport purely for the joy of it. Instead of competing, the girls  are practicing for football games this season.

In order to make sure all of their performances are well executed, the team must rehearse again and again. A choreographer or the coach teaches the team the moves, and then the dancers must practice until every detail is perfect. If a member of the team messes up, they must hold a plank “for what seems like forever,” said Mikala Burr, a senior who wishes to dance in college.

Mikala Burr wants to create “great memories” this season and to “make sure everybody is comfortable on the team.” All of the interviewed dancers want to maintain and grow their friendships, as well as expand their talent. They have even worked “until two o’clock in the morning” practicing one of their performances. Natalie is clear on the team’s goals for the future. She said, “We are not looking for the trophies and titles, but instead to have a good time and grow as dancers.”