On Dec 1. PCM Dance Team took part in the 2023 Iowa Dance Team Association State Competition at Wells Fargo Area. Since early July the team has been practicing and preparing three team routines to bring to State, along with five soloists also preparing for the solo competition. The girls had a fun country themed Pom routine, a hard-hitting Queen themed Hiphop, and an entertaining Bird themed Novelty. The five soloists included seniors Savanna Disney, Lily Ladehoff and Isabelle Lorton along with sophomores Chloe Greiner and Charlotte Landwehr competing solos in styles of Contemporary, Lyrical, and Musical Theatre. 

The morning of the competition the girls all met in the PCM High School Learning Center where they had a team breakfast. They exchanged secret Santa gifts, discussed the day ahead and got ready together. Before the team loaded in the school Suburbans to head to Wells Fargo Arena, the coaches, parents, and PCM High School Staff arranged a send off for the girls. Led by the PCM High School Drumline the team walked and waved goodbye to their peers as they clapped and wished them goodluck. When they arrived at Wells Fargo Area the team found a dress room and got ready for the solo portion of the competition.

Congratulations to all five soloists for receiving a Division 1 rating in the Class V ISDTA Solo Competition. After the solo portion the team got ready for the team routines. After moving up into harder classes the team still managed to hold their own and place in the top five in each category, in addition to earning a Division 1 rating. Placing 3rd in Class V Hiphop, 3rd in Class II Novelty, and 4th in Class VIII Pom. This is a huge accomplishment for these girls as they were against some of the hardest competition the team has ever faced. Furthermore the team received an Excellence Academic Achievement award and stood in recognition for participating in an ISDTA Cares initiative project. Above all else the team was awarded the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. This special award is only given to one team out of over 100 participating schools, this really shows the team’s values and dedication to being respectful and kind athletes. 

Although the ISDTA State Competition has come to an end, the PCM Dance Team  has a lot in store for the next few months. Make sure to come and support them in their annual show held in the PCM High School Gym on Jan. 28.