The SDHS Dance Team kicked off their competition season with an impressive start on Saturday, January 17, at the Sharp International Dance Competition. Not only did their soloists all do amazing, getting first in many categories, but their Varsity Jazz routine were the National Grand Champions of the comp! These wins set the tone for an exciting, competitive season ahead, and the team is ready to bring their energy and talent to the many more competitions they attend.
The day began on a high note with a surprisingly late call time of 11 a.m, a great change from the usual early mornings that come with competition days. The later start gave dancers time to rest, prepare, and ease into the day. Senior Jessica Liu shared, “I love when our call time is later because I can wake up later, take my time getting ready, and grab Starbucks on the way there.” Once the team arrived at Estancia High School, they settled into their locker rooms, organized their costumes, and got straight into stretching and warming up.
Solo performances opened the competition, putting the spotlight on SDHS’s talented soloists. Dancers of all grade levels took the stage, including Alina E. (9th), Anissa G. (10th), Shannon T. (10th), Camila M. (11th), Jess L. (12th), Mia G. (12th), Victoria C. (12th), Jessica R. (9th), Jon Kian (12th), Vivianna R. (9th), Aria M. (9th), Francesca R. (9th), Janiya J. (10th), Lily S. (12th), Aubrey P. (9th), Emily G. (9th), Bryce A. (10th), Bella L. (11th), and Natalia A. (11th). While the nerves were high, especially for first-time competitors, but the support from teammates and coaches made it so much less nerve-racking. Every soloist delivered confident performances, making their coaches incredibly proud.
After the solos, the focus shifted to the group routines. The JV team opened with their infamous “Newsies” dance, complete with creative props and set pieces that brought the performance to life. Next was Varsity’s character routine, “Devil in Georgia,” a crowd favorite that captivated both judges and audience members with its storytelling, costumes, and dramatic staging. Junior Jacob Marshall stated, “This dance is always my favorite to watch. The costumes and props make it so interesting every time.”
JV Pom followed, and despite last-minute choreography changes and a challenging music mix, the team performed with confidence and determination. Their routine showcased both the skills they have mastered and areas they are continuing to refine, energizing the crowd once again. One of the most memorable moments of the competition came with Varsity Jazz. Performing to the new Doja Cat’s s0ng, “Jealous Type,” the team delivered the highest-scoring routine of the entire competition. The trendy music, costumes, sharp technique, and catchy musicality made the performance unforgettable, especially impressive considering it was the team’s first time performing the routine.
The day concluded with the all-team hip-hop performance, packed with high energy and a fun, dynamic music mix that allowed every dancer to shine. Shortly after, awards were announced, and SDHS dominated the whole compeition. Every team dance earned first place, with JV Pom taking second. Jocelyn Ruelas (11th) summed up the moment perfectly, saying, “I’m so proud of the girls and guys. They really represented SDHS in the best way possible.”
Overall, the Sharp International Dance Competition marked an incredibly successful start to the season for the SDHS Dance Team. With strong performances, supportive teamwork, and impressive results, the dancers are more motivated than ever as they head into the rest of their competition season. Best of luck to the SD Dance Team for the rest of their competition season!
