During the excitement of basketball season, it is important to show our appreciation for the girls that help bring all the games together. The IHS Dance Team has been performing at basketball games for many years, and there is a lot more that goes into it than some may think. If you are interested in trying out next year, keep reading to learn more about what it’s like behind the scenes.

The IHS Dance Team is a great way to get involved and have fun, but there are some things to consider before joining. You have to be a fast learner, be able to adapt to your environment and stay dedicated to what you do. The team is known to have a very stressful try-out process that is said to be the most difficult aspect of the team. The tryouts are three days long, and the girls have to learn dances on the spot and perform them in front of several judges. The stressful part is that if you make it on the team one year, you still have to try out and be at risk of not making it the next. 

Try-outs aside, once you are on the team it is a very comfortable and connected atmosphere. Freshman Elia Deitz expressed her enjoyment of being on the team, “I love spending time with my friends and being able to dance and support the basketball team.” Even though the competition is fierce, everyone still finds a way to get along and have a good time. 

The team recently had their senior salute, recognizing dancers Maycie Lorelli, Jordan Yurko, and Alex Arbuckle. The feeling was bittersweet knowing the seniors will not be back next year, but the girls still put on their best show. 

What many students don’t realize is how quickly everyone has to learn their dances, and in what conditions they must do so. The dance team doesn’t have a designated space to practice, so they practice in the lower commons. This comes with a whole new set of challenges, with the dancers having to practice on muddy floors often covered in road salt. Oftentimes, their practices will be interrupted by people entering the school. Sophomore Joy Christian comments on the practicing conditions stating,  “It’s hard to learn the choreography when people are coming in and out, but we still manage to get things done.”

From practicing kick lines to pom-pom routines, the dance team loves what they do despite the various unique obstacles. The team always feels like a family and everyone is there to show one another their support. Sophomore Kiersten Gardner gives a piece of advice to anyone considering joining,  “If you are considering it, try out, it takes a lot of determination to get into the dance team, but you will never know if you can do it if you don’t try.”