By Erin Kelley
Assistant Editor
The Silverton High School dance team member’s hope before going to the OSAA state championships was to place in the top three.
And the dance team did just that, placing second at state at the OSAA Dance and Drill Championships at the Memorial Coliseum March 18 and 19. The girls on the team include Brittney Brookfield, Faith Moen, Rachael Neff, Sirrissa Johansen, Sophia Johnston, Katherine Pilmore, Monica Steele, Leah Geck, Jordan Teeney, Carrissa Grambusch, Renae Stratton, Celeah Norris, Mckenzie Gray, and Baily Steffan. The team performed a lyrical dance to “Here Without You,” using the covered version by the Vietnam String Quartet. This year, the team did well, taking 1st place at the Category Championships held December 11 at West Linn High School for their Fall Jazz Piece.
Dance team is different from other sports as it requires the dancers to practice for the entire year. The dancers take classes at Silverton Ballet and Performing Arts, such as ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop. Brookfield has classes at the studio four days a week, along with Friday, Saturday and Sunday practices for dance team. Most of the girls have been dancing together for years, with some of the girls having started dance at the age of three.
“I view it as a major accomplishment for sticking with it and I loved every minute of it,” Brookfield said. The seniors on the team include Brookfield, Johnston, Neff, Pilmore, Moen and Johansen, and most have been on the team all four years.
“I think that’s why we’re such a strong team due to how long we’ve known each other, danced together, and have been involved in each others lives,” said Johnston, a senior dance team captain.
While none of the girls are planning on being part of dance team in college, most are planning to continue dancing after high school.
When asked if they had any advice for next years team, Brookfield replied, “I would advise them to focus and work hard while still having fun!”
