2008 Woodie Awards
Dancing to the top of Div. 1 schools
Dance team hopes to clinch first for third year in a row at NEC
Elizabeth Aveni
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Features
The bass pumps from the speakers as freshman Nicole Eastman goes over the routine she has been practicing for the last three months. She moves her feet to the rhythm of the music, hitting each step on target.
Surrounding her in synchronization are her best friends, the Sacred Heart Dance Team.
The song ends and the girls break out of their formation. They chat, gossip and joke with one another. Some stretch and continue to work out.
All of them are keeping in mind their big competition, only days away.
The Westfield Dance Challenge, held at Westfield State College was scheduled for Feb. 23, where the dance team was scheduled to perform, but due to inclement weather the regional competition has been postponed to a later date not yet announced.
This minor setback does not change the feeling of anticipation in the air.
"This is the first time I have ever competed at a dance competition and I'm pretty excited," said Eastman.
"Last year I went to watch the team and they did awesome. I'm hoping now that I am a part of the team we will be just as amazing."
Sacred Heart's record proves that the dance team has performed nothing short of amazing.
In the past two years, the team has placed first at the New England Challenge in Westfield, Mass.
Additionally, the team placed first at the Challenge Cup during the NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla.
"Last year we were ranked first in New England and tenth nationally for Division I schools. We work toward nothing short of perfection," said senior Megan Duckworth.
The Division I team dances primarily to hip hop and jazz tunes. Not only do they compete on the national and regional level, but they also perform at all home basketball and football games.
The team has also been asked to perform for other campus and community events.
To become part of the team, you must audition during the last year of high school and have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of dance is required.
Surrounding her in synchronization are her best friends, the Sacred Heart Dance Team.
The song ends and the girls break out of their formation. They chat, gossip and joke with one another. Some stretch and continue to work out.
All of them are keeping in mind their big competition, only days away.
The Westfield Dance Challenge, held at Westfield State College was scheduled for Feb. 23, where the dance team was scheduled to perform, but due to inclement weather the regional competition has been postponed to a later date not yet announced.
This minor setback does not change the feeling of anticipation in the air.
"This is the first time I have ever competed at a dance competition and I'm pretty excited," said Eastman.
"Last year I went to watch the team and they did awesome. I'm hoping now that I am a part of the team we will be just as amazing."
Sacred Heart's record proves that the dance team has performed nothing short of amazing.
In the past two years, the team has placed first at the New England Challenge in Westfield, Mass.
Additionally, the team placed first at the Challenge Cup during the NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla.
"Last year we were ranked first in New England and tenth nationally for Division I schools. We work toward nothing short of perfection," said senior Megan Duckworth.
The Division I team dances primarily to hip hop and jazz tunes. Not only do they compete on the national and regional level, but they also perform at all home basketball and football games.
The team has also been asked to perform for other campus and community events.
To become part of the team, you must audition during the last year of high school and have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of dance is required.
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