Pioneers Dance Team Prepares for Journey South
INDEPENDENCE, Ky-A Kentucky High School dance championship team prepares to go bowling. The Simon Kenton High School dance team was invited to participate at the 2011 Orange Bowl halftime show after stepping into the top spot in the Bluegrass in March.
The 2009-10 school year was the
inaugural journey for the Kenton County girls.
"We were so excited, because it was like an experiment for us as a first year team," explained senior Lynsey Watkins. "We didn't even expect to place in state or regionals. We were just going in to do our best."
After coming home with a championship, the team received a call to participate in the Orange Bowl halftime show.
"It was this big secret for a while," recalled Watkins. "I was behind the secret. So it was hard for me to keep it."
They are the only unit out of 80 teams
in Kentucky to participate in the Miami, Fl.
spectacle. The team that accomplished so much so
quickly now had another issue. They needed that much
in cash to travel and stay in Florida.
The girls participated in fundraisers from delivering flyers for local gyms, to the stereotypical carwash. They cleaned countless cars, trucks and documented at least on Weimaraner.
"All of these things made us grow stronger," said team member Reyna Dela Cruz. The fundraising continued for six months and ended Monday night at Skyline Chili in Independence, Ky.
The team's work ethic is strong. During Christmas break, the girls were sweating it out every morning by 8am until they leave for Miami on New Years Eve. Their experiences have them depending upon one another.
"Because we were with each other all
the time, we grew as a family," said Watkins.
The team raised their $24,000 goal, however, they still need about $4,000 for incidentals.
Donations can be sent to:
ATTN: Coach Lynleigh Scheller
5122 Dana harvey Lane
Independence, KY 41051
Anthony Mirones is the author, photographer, and editor of this article.
© 2010, Clifton's Edge, LLC