SJHHS Premieres a New Competitive Dance Team

The+advanced+dance+group%2C+%28top%29+along+with+the+intermediate+dance+group%2C+kicks+off+the+tenth+year+anniversary+of+SJHHS%2C+by+becoming+an+official+team+and+starting+to+compete.

The advanced dance group, (top) along with the intermediate dance group, kicks off the tenth year anniversary of SJHHS, by becoming an official team and starting to compete.

Aleck Mardirossian, Staff Writer

For 10 years, SJHHS has had an elite dance program that allows students the opportunity to enroll in dance classes that fulfill needed PE credits. These students perform in several productions throughout the year, providing students, staff, and parents with entertainment. The dance program accommodates all different skill levels, offering beginner, beginner intermediate, intermediate, and advanced level classes.

This year, on the school’s ten year anniversary, the SJHHS Dance Program has finally become a competitive dance team. The intermediate and advanced teams will begin competing against other schools in January at Cal State University of San Marcos. Students who compete gain real-world experience through competing and being evaluated by a panel of judges.

Students seeking to continue dancing professionally past high school will now gain experience that may help when applying for college dance teams. Competitions will help prepare these students with skills they will gain through competing, such as how to handle detailed judging.

If the dance team succeeds, awards and recognition will continue to heighten the reputation of SJHHS’ dance program, especially within the district and among various colleges.

SJHHS soloists who compete must place in the top ten in order to be considered for nationals. The dates for this year’s competitions have yet to be announced.

The team is currently keeping busy rehearsing for their upcoming competitions. They began practicing  over the summer and are now beginning to practice for The Fusion Dance Show, which will occur in November.