Members of the new dance team in action. Photo by Kaitlyn Vadenais
One of the newest groups on campus is the McDaniel Dance Team.
Directed by sophomore Shelby Toler, the novelty of the group has no correlation with the goals that the group members have set out for themselves.
Toler says the goals of the group are to “put on good performances and eventually have new routines each game.”
Her ultimate goal is to get the team to compete in Reach the Beach in Ocean City, MD, a beach cheer and dance competition with national participants.
The dance team performs hip-hop and jazz mixes as well as kick line and pom routines. You will be able to see the team perform at half-time during football and basketball games. The dancers are making their debut at the October 15 football game. The team gave the campus a sneak peak of their routine to the pop hit Blow by Ke$ha at the pep rally on September 30.
Currently, there are nine girls on the team. However, the team is always looking for new members. There will be another round of formal tryouts just in time for basketball season as well as a workshop or two for prospective dancers.
The team has a variety of levels of experience. While some girls are members of both the dance team and the dance company, the organizations are separate and unrelated. The most important traits Toler is looking for from interested dancers are dedication, personality, and commitment.
Toler, a sophomore at McDaniel, is everything for this dance team. She is the choreographer and leader of the team. Seeing her level of dedication makes it hard to believe that she started dancing as late as high school. A member of the McDaniel Dance Company as well, Toler says she “fell in love [with dance] and continued through into college.”
Jahncie Cook, a freshman, joined the team because she wanted to continue her hobby of dancing in college. Many of the girls on the team share the same sentiments.
Megan Powell, also a freshman, took time off from dancing due to bad experiences with her teams in high school but joined the Dance Team here at McDaniel because she decided to try it again.
Although Toler says it has been difficult for her to “step up and be in charge,” she is getting the team off to a positive start.
“We’re all going to get along awesomely,” said Powell.
If anyone is interested in joining this new and exciting team on campus, contact Shelby Toler at slt001@mcdaniel.edu.
Great writing and reporting!