VCHS Hi-Lites Varsity Dance Team 22-23
It was a year of growth for the Valley City HiLites Dance Team. Starting their season with a fresh set of faces on both their Varsity and Junior Varsity teams, the Varsity team only had three returning members from the previous year. Tessa Kinney, Ada Gilbertson, and Hailley Grenz returned as the big sisters of the season with new members Claire Shanenko, Kiyah Hayes, Addison Spanier, Laniya Walker, McKenley Fladeland, Grace Bitz, and Ella Sather completing the Varsity team. The JV team had a whole new group of 7th graders make up the team including Addie Chase, Laityn Coleman, Faith Nance, and Gabby Wadeson, Having five seniors graduate after the 21-22 season, the Hi-Lites would have their work cut out for them rebuilding the teams. The now group of four Sophmores, four Freshmen, and two 8th graders would compete the season in all four routines including Jazz, Pom, Hip-Hop, and Kick. The JV team would compete in Kick, Jazz, and Hip-Hop.
Throughout the season the Hi-Lites competed at the Davies Invitational, West Fargo Invitational,
Legacy Invitational, Spirit of America in Minneapolis, and finished up with the State Competition in Grand Forks. Unfortunately, due to weather, the originally planned Bismarck High School Invitational was cancelled. Overall, the Hi-Lites had a great season taking home trophies at each event. At Davies, Varsity only competed two routines and placed 2nd in Pom and 3rd in Kick, with JV placing 1st in Kick and Hip-Hop. Then at the West Fargo Invite, Varsity placed 2nd in Hip-Hop and 6th in Kick and Pom. JV competed with only three of their four girls and still placed 2nd in Hip-Hop and 5th in Kick. At the Legacy Invite, Varsity competed for the first time in all four routines and placed in the top five spots in all. Varsity placed 3rd in Hip-Hop and Kick, 4th in Jazz, and 5th in Pom. The JV team also brought home a trophy for 3rd place in Hip-Hop. The girls also traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to compete at the UDA Spirit of America Competition. Teams from all over travel to the cities to compete at the competition and the HiLites stood out amongst the other teams. Varsity competed all four
routines again and took home a 4th place trophy in Jazz and Pom, 5th place in Hip-Hop, and took home a 1st place trophy for their Kick routine. The girls also won the best uniform award for their Kick uniform. With an estimated over 1,860 of hand placed rhinestones per uniform it is no wonder the girls looked absolutely amazing. Not having enough dancers to compete at the UDA competition, the JV team was still able to
show off their routines as exhibition so it was a great experience. At the State Competition in Grand Forks, the HiLites Varsity team made finals in three of their four routines. Varsity took home a 2nd place trophy in Hip-Hop, 4th place trophy in Jazz, and a 5th place trophy in Kick. Junior Varsity competed in their three routines and placed 4th overall for their HipHop routine.
The Hi-Lites recently had their end of
year banquet where the teams get together for an evening of games, good food, and accolades. Every year, the Varsity team votes on three awards including Most Valuable, Most Improved, and Most Dedicated. This year, the team selected Hailley Grenz as Most Valuable, Claire Shanenko as Most Improved, and Ada Gilbertson as Most Dedicated. Junior Varsity also did an award this year choosing Addie Chase as their Most award winner.
Valuable
Coming up for the HiLites will be their tryout prep clinics followed by try-outs in May. Tryouts are open to 6th graders who will be attending 7th grade next year up to 12th grade. Stay tuned on the Valley City Hi-Lites Facebook page for details. Congratulations to the Hi-Lites Dance Team on their outstanding season and we cannot wait to see what you do in the 23-24 season!