By: Saya Alvares

People Editor

You know them, you love them, and they’re back for more; the 2023-2024 Varsity Dance Team debuted their opening halftime routine on Aug. 24 to International Love by Pitbull. After an exciting summer filled with many dance camps such as Pro Action Dance Camp in Los Angeles, and Home Camp run by Coach Annika Jackson, the team is prepared for the busy upcoming season. 

Over the summer, Home Camp featured multiple alumni returning to teach choreography, as well as some guest classes. The weekend, consisting of two eight-hour days, showed the immense endurance of the LGHS dancers as they learned multiple routines and took classes such as Pilates with YogaSource Instructor Leroy Thomas. The team was lucky enough to learn choreography from amazing performers such as former Captain Sarah Gouldrup, alumni Jenna Roselli, George Washington Dance Team member Kate Amistoso, and more. 

At the Pro Action camp in the beginning of the summer, the teammates split up to learn a myriad of different routines to teach to the rest of the team during the football season. The camp featured professional choreographers who choreograph for sports teams and broadway performances. Senior Alyssa Webb detailed the experience saying, “It was an incredible learning opportunity, and I loved spending time bonding with the teammates.”

When the school year started, so did the time for practices. The team meets around three times a week, with an afterschool practice, as well as morning practices as early as 6:30AM. For the first football game of the season, the team worked extremely hard with the addition of extra morning practices added in for preparation. International Love featured a classic styled pom routine choreographed by Gouldrup, with dazzling formations and intense technique. The girls continue to work hard to make sure every kick and turn is as in sync as can be. 

For the second game, a last-minute home game with three-days notice to prepare, the team put in the work to finish a stunning routine to the songs Alien Superstar and PURE/HONEY by Beyonce, choreographed by Julia Bocian and Peyton Book. This visually appealing dance showed off the intricate choreography and difficult transitions for the team. Even with the time crunch, LGHS Dance Team stepped up with practices prior to school to get ready for the upcoming game. Freshman Olivia Florio, “I was nervous for the second game, but even with only three days to prepare we all worked super hard and the experience ended up being super fun.”

Missing the wonderful routines and sidelines of the Dance Team? Don’t worry, they can be found at every home football game of the regular and CCS football season. Also, keep an eye out for an exciting couple of weeks with three home football games in a row starting September 29, as well as a performance during the Rally of Homecoming week. Make sure to wave to the sidelines every Friday night and cheer them on during halftime; go Wildcats!