Life is a dance

photo credit: Caroline Witty
Burlesque bird \\ Dancing before the seniors and juniors are inducted, junior Payton Millis dances to Burlesque by Christina Aguilera. Millis’ danced was choreographed by Katie Ostorm.

writer: Caroline Witty, Staff Reporter

National Dance Honor Society inducts new members

Toward the end of last year the dance instructor, Stephanie Jackson, and the drill team coach, Brittany Miller, were looking for ways to expand the dance program for those who could not participate during school for dance. They wanted to still recognize students for their academics and dancing skills. That is where they discovered the National Honor Society for Dance Arts or NHSDA.

“I wanted to discover a way to enhance the school’s dance program and encourage academic excellence,” Jackson said. “This is a way to celebrate the dancer’s hard work.”

The first induction for the honor society was held 7 p.m. March 23. Students volunteered to perform in either a solo, duet or ensemble before the candle lighting of the juniors and seniors who accumulated 30 points to be inducted. Some of the performers choreographed their own dances.

“Choreographing is extremely difficult,” freshman Sebastian Garcia said. “Once you come up with something amazing, you immediately get a sense of relief. For a second you feel like you can take on the world with one arm tied behind your back.”

 

Performances

  1. Title: Fast and Sad

Artist: Ivarellia

Choreographer(s): Nicholas Scott and Tyler Valentine

Dancer(s): Nicholas Scott and Tyler Valentine

  1. Title: Heart Cry

Artist: Drehz

Choreographer(s): Samantha Cinalli

Dancer(s): Samantha Cinalli

  1. Title: The City

Artist: Madeon

Choreographer(s): Sebastian Garcia

Dancer(s): Sebastian Garcia

  1. Title: Earned It

Artist: The Weekend

Choreographer(s): Montana Rowe and Veronica Villa-blais

Dancer(s): Montana Rower and Veronica Villa-blais

  1. Title: Burlesque

Artist: Christina Aguliara

Choreographer(s): Katie Ostorm

Dancer(s): Payton Millis

  1. Title: Aquatic Ambience

Artist: Smooth McGroove

Choreographer(s): Stephanie Jackson

Dancer(s): Madison Duvall, Madeline Jones, Catie Shirley, Kaitlyn Smith, and Ruthie Walker

Inducted Dancers

  1. Samantha Cinalli
  2. Madeline Jones
  3. Taylor Justiniano
  4. Megan Kelly
  5. Holly Ketner
  6. Payton Millis
  7. Smantha Redig
  8. Montana Rowe
  9. Nicholas Scott
  10. Catie Shirley
  11. Kaitlyn Smith
  12. Veronica Villa-blais
  13. Ruthie Walker