The varsity dance team competes their way to regionals on Nov.15 to compete against neighboring high schools for a spot in the national championships.

“I’m so excited about going to regionals this year,” senior captain Sam Droope said. “Our team is looking so strong and improving everyday.”

Regionals are comprised of three separate competition events; two are held throughout the months of Nov. and Dec. at Royal Oak and Lake Orion High School. The last competition at the end of January will be held in Chicago.

The team will compete against other high schools in the county division of Macomb, such as Dakota, L’anse Cruese, Romeo and Lake Orion.
The dance team is currently ranked first place in the nation and the best high school dance team in America.

“I’m nervous because Ike dance is amazing and I’m new to the team so I have to make sure I do my best this year and don’t mess up,” junior Sarah Sahutske said. “Hopefully we do good enough at regionals that we make it to nationals,” junior Sarah Sahutske said.

To move onto nationals, the team works on a home routine choreographed over the summer camp Universal Dance Association (UDA.) A panel of judges give scores, which decides whether or not the team qualifies for and moves onto nationals.

“I’m really excited about the possibility of going to championships because I think being able to have a little fun as a team is a nice reward for doing well,” junior Bella Cvetanovski said. “This is a good incentive to stay committed and focused which is what will get us there.”

To prepare for upcoming competitions, dancers analyze their dance routines to clean up their performances and review each dance move as a team to assure the girls stay in sync and perform every move precisely.

“It’s a little intimidating having the pressure of being partly responsible for the team because it’s all about teamwork and relying on each other to accomplish what we need to,” Sahutske said.

The team performs two dances at each competition event, one in hip hop and one in jazz. The dances are the same at every event. To get psyched up during practice and before competition the team huddles up in a circle holding pinkies chanting “I’ll give my all if you give your all.” This builds up their excitement before they go out onto the floor, according to Sahutske.

“I really enjoy taking a few minutes collectively as a team before going out onto the floor because it gives us all a minute to breathe which calms my nerves and gets my heads in the right mindset,” Droope said.

For the team to participate at the last event for nationals, the dancers fly to Florida to compete in Walt Disney World on Jan. 29.

“We have a super young team which is great for learning and molding. They have extreme talent and are open to trying new things and are completely fearless,” coach Rachelle Kiehle said. “I am inspired by them everyday and am certain they have the ability to win championships if they work together.”