New Coach Brings Out New Attitudes On OHS Dance Team

By Jamie Hamblin, OHS Torch Reporter

Shelby Maurer, new OHS dance coach for the 2015 season, has brought the dance team different varieties of dancing, new friendships, and many laughs as the season comes to end.

There are twelve members of the dance team: Seniors, Savannah King, Lauren Hostetter, Jeris Eilts, Kenzie Helfrich, Anna Adams, Emily Risinger, and Jamie Hamblin. Junior,  Vittoria Cira, sophomore, Addie Ewalt. Freshman Hannah Thomas, Jordan Cummings, and Sydney Ledbetter. Jamie Hamblin, Emily Risinger, and Addie Ewalt are the captains.

Shelby Maurer, dance coach, said, “The group of girls I had were beyond exceptional. I really enjoyed collaborating with different groups to create such crowd pleasing performances. The guy/girl, teacher cheer, OMS dance team, and mini clinic dances were all fun, and some hilarious to watch during practices. I would not change one moment of this season.”

The Dance team performs for boy’s basketball for every home game during varsity half time. Plus, the Dance team performs at homecoming assemblies and other big assemblies.

Emily, dance team captain, said, “My favorite part about this season was performing the boy-girl routine. It was so much fun to make up, and I’ve never seen the audience laugh and smile so much in my entire dance career.I would have liked to have more girls on the team and more team bonding. “

OHS Dance Team participates in a Yankee Candle fundraiser at the beginning of the season to raise money for uniforms, tshirts throughout the year, and extras needed throughout the season. This year Olympia Dance Team added a new fundraiser to the mix by selling glow sticks at the OHS football games in the fall.

Addie Ewalt, sophomore captain, said, “I hope that we can get more people to come out and learn technique next season so that we can compete next year. If we don’t compete just keep taking steps until the team can compete.”

Team tryouts are still waiting to be announced, but captain tryouts begin on March 8. Dancers interested in being a captain have to choreograph their own routine, have teacher recommendations, and write an essay about what they can bring to the team.