In their fifth year as a group, the Emerald Stars dancers were able to earn varsity letters as a MSHSAA sanctioned team through WHS.

   All seven dancers lettered for completing the season.  In addition to performances at games, the dance team also competed at two different competitions this season. 

   Dancers who earned a letter this year included juniors Hazel Thompson and Tatum Bohl, sophomores Shaelynn Ward and Haleigh Barclay, and freshmen Lily Frye, Bella Schwartz, and Izzy Schierholz.

 Coach Sarah Wright said her goal was to create a positive environment for her dancers to have fun with the activity.

   “My mission for the dance team is to have a positive team that works together and enjoys their time together dancing,” Wright said. 

   Wright was pleased with the group becoming sanctioned through the school because it opened up competitions for the team.

 “I wanted the girls to be recognized for participating in school activities just like other student athletes,” Wright said.

   The Emerald Stars competed in competitions at Missouri State University in Springfield and at the Missouri Dance Team Association state competition in Kansas City. The group placed fourth at MSU and sixth in Kansas City. They competed in small group hip hop.

   “I just like to dance,” freshman Lily Frye said. 

  Frye said she most enjoyed the competitions because she was more intimidated by performing in front of an audience of people she knew. 

   The team starts training during the summer months at dance camp. Junior captain Tatum Bohl earned All-American honors at dance camp. While she has been active on the dance team for three years, she was also awarded with a dance letter and a leadership award this year.

   Bohl said the designation as a MSHSAA spirit team is important in gaining respect and recognition.

     Wright has been teaching dance for 23 years, but started coaching a WHS team only five years ago.

   “It all started because I had high school dancers approach me about helping them start a dance team. It is nice to offer another opportunity to students who are not interested in more traditional sports activities,” Wright said.

   “I think it’s great that we go through the school and then we can letter and just be more to the community,”  junior Hazel Thompson said. 

      The practices were weekly at the All Star Dance Academy building on Commercial Street. This is where the dance team spent hours working on the dances they performed in front of the audience during the football and basketball games and at competitions.

     With being on the dance team, there are some things the dancers have to be strong about and that is their confidence of feeling good in front of the audience. 

   Next year, Emerald Stars will have three teams, one for performance, sideline and competition. They will have a total of 13 dancers.