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NEVAEH SAN NICOLAS
Nashville Stingers Dance Team / FR.
Years dancing: 1
Favorite memory of being on your team? My favorite memory was meeting all my teammates and seeing all the new people I got to grow with.
Favorite skill to perform? Splits
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? I had to work extra hard to get right turns.
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? My favorite style of dance to perform is lyrical.
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? My favorite style of dance to watch is hip hop
Stuff you do when not dancing: When I am not dancing I go to school, read, listen to music, and go on walks.
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? I would like to mention Alyssa Lohman because she was always pushing me to better myself and improve even when I was frustrated
Coach notes: While she is only a freshman, Nevaeh has the dedication of a lifelong team member. During any break, she can be seen continuously practicing on the sidelines. If she has a question, she doesn’t hesitate to ask. This helps not only herself, but others on the team who may have not known they had the same question. Her improvement throughout this year is surely a sign of how much she will continue to grow in her skills and performance qualities.
JOSLIN SANTANA
University High School Dance Team / FR.
Years dancing: 5
Favorite memory of being on your team? Getting ready to peform at games!
Favorite skill to perform? Turns in second, elbow & shoulder stand
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Kip up, different turns
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Jazz
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Hip hop
Stuff you do when not dancing: Tennis, hang with family
Coach notes: She has shown great leadership as a freshman. She has been very open and helpful to me as a coach this year as well. She is a such a great dancer with tremendous flexibility. She is going to do great in her future.
EMILY SCAGLIONE
PALATINE POMS / SR.
Coach notes: This dancer is trained in classical ballet and has been a member of our team for all 4 years of her high school career.
CHARLOTTE SEMYCK
Burlington Central Dance Team / JR.
Years dancing: 14
Favorite memory of being on your team? Being a part of the first team to qualify for state
Favorite skill to perform? A la secondes
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Contemporary
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Contemporary / hip hop
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? All the staff at Elite Academy of Dance, and Coach Jensen!
Coach notes: Charlotte is such a great leader on this team! She is one of our star turners. She can turn for days! She takes her role as a captain very seriously and is always ready to try something new. She does not hesitate. She is always pushing herself and pushing others to be better.
ALEXA SIMONSIS
Tinley Park Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: She is one of our captains on the squad and has been a dedicated dancer for our varsity team all 4 years. Her fun personality and confidence she puts in herself and the team is really what makes the team come together.
GABRIELLE SMITH
Mattoon Varsity Wavettes Dance Team / SR.
Years dancing: 11
Favorite memory of being on your team? My junior year, we went to IHSA sectionals, and during that time we got snowed in at the hotel. Because of the whole team being together, we all played games and spent time together that was outside of practice. We all grew a stronger bond and I feel like that also helped our dancing become more uniform.
Favorite skill to perform? Leaps
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Center leaps
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Lyrical
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Lyrical
Stuff you do when not dancing: I love to workout and spend time with family
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? Margenes Dance Studio is where I began dancing and I still dance there to this day. My grandma owns it which allowed me to learn my ballet and tap technique from her. My mom is also a big supporter. Without her, I wouldn’t be the dancer I am today. She has taught me everything that should be known about dance. She’s been by my side and my coach since day one.
Coach notes: Gabrielle is an extremely dedicated young lady. She gets up at 5:30 am every morning to go workout and has become a leader for the team’s overall fitness. She gives 110% at every practice and has a very good eye at catching small mistakes in both herself and her teammates which helps to clean routines. Gabi is also actively involved with the youth program at her local dance studio.
KRISTEN SMITH
Evergreen Park Dance Team / SO.
Years dancing: 2
Favorite memory of being on your team? Making it to state my freshman year and placing top 10.
Favorite skill to perform? Headspring
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Backbend into a kip-up
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Hip hop
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Hip hop
Stuff you do when not dancing: Run track, cross country, and sing.
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? Both of my amazing dance coaches from Evergreen Park High School.
Coach notes: This is Kristen’s second year on Varsity and first year as Captain. She is a responsible, respectful and dedicated dancer who helped motivate the team during this tough season. She helped mold these new dancers in just 3 weeks.
LIZZY SORENSEN
Oswego Pantherettes Dance Team / SR.
Years dancing: 14
Favorite memory of being on your team? Winning 2nd in conference!
Favorite skill to perform? Calypso or turning disc
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Second turns
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Lyrical
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Lyrical
Stuff you do when not dancing: Journalism and photography
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? I’d like to thank Coach Sanders and Coach Lagger for believing in me and motivating me to grow over the last four years, as well as my parents for always supporting me!
Coach notes: Lizzy is committed to dance and has strong technique. She is poised and a strong leader for her teammates. She has been a part of the Pantherettes competitive dance team for 4 years.
AUBREY SPEERS
Pinckneyville Varsity Poms / JR.
Years dancing: 14 (started dancing when I was 3 years old)
Favorite memory of being on your team? I love getting to take “trips” with each other and spend quality time together!!
Favorite skill to perform? Any type of jump!
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Several turn sequences
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Jazz
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Jazz
Stuff you do when not dancing: Teach at a dance studio!
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? The Upbeat Dance Studio (Ashley Hicks, Lauren Hicks, Tawmi Conley, and my coach, KyLee Behm)
Coach notes: Aubrey Is an amazing athlete who strives to do her best. Aubrey has always shown great perseverance and is willing to try any task I give to her. Aubrey sets an amazing example for her younger teammates and is always willing to lend an extra hand when needed. Aubrey also has an amazing personality that always keeps me and her team laughing and having fun.
DEVIN STAPLETON
Morris Dance Team / SR.
Years dancing: 13
Favorite memory of being on your team? Being able to have a competition season
Favorite skill to perform? Aerials or turns
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Headspring
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Hip hop
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Lyrical
Stuff you do when not dancing: Schoolwork and hanging out with friends
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? Forte Arts Center and all the teachers
Coach notes: Devin joined our team in her senior year and has been a great asset to our program. She is an extremely hard worker and always gives 110%.
KATIE STONE
Libertyville Varsity Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: Katie Stone is a 4-year dance team member and Varsity captain. Under Katie’s leadership, the LHS Dance team has had an outstanding competitive season. Katie’s work ethic and drive is unmatched. She pushes herself to be better in all aspects of dance. Because of this, her skill is highlighted several times throughout our competitive routine in her turns, jumps, leaps and dance quality. She uses every practice and performance as an opportunity to improve. She holds this same standard to every teammate. We are very proud of the leader, dancer and person Katie has become over these past 4 years.
SHAYLYN STOUT
Wheaton North Falconettes Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: Shaylyn is a beautiful person inside and out. She is the most supportive and thoughtful teammate, always checking in on others and cheering them on in and out of practice. Shaylyn has gorgeous leg extensions and is a beauty to watch on the floor! We are so lucky to have her!
KATHRYN SZUMSKI
Wheaton North Falconettes Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: Kat is an amazing leader and hard working teammate. She is always there to lend a hand, be supportive, and guide her teammates. She is a phenomenal dancer and we are so lucky to have her!
GRACE TERRY
Prospect Dance Team / SR.
Years dancing: 4 on Prospect’s team, and 15 in general
Favorite memory of being on your team? My favorite memory on my team was being able to watch the livestream of sectionals together and celebrate making it to state once the list was posted. We were all so excited to realize that our hard work paid off!
Favorite skill to perform? I love doing turns!
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? I had to work extra hard to get my leg hold turn.
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? My favorite style of dance to perform is lyrical.
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? I love watching hip hop.
Stuff you do when not dancing: When I’m not dancing, I’m hanging out with my friends, family, and my dog, Daisy. I’m also involved with the poms team and the performing arts dancing group at my school, as well.
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? I want to thank our coaches, Frericks and Monnich, for pushing our team. If it wasn’t for them staying positive despite the uncertainty of our season, we wouldn’t have pulled an amazing routine together.
Coach notes: Overall AMAZING dancer/student. Grace was our captain this year and totally stepped up for the challenge and brought our team to the next level!
PAOLA TOSTADO
Grayslake North Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: Paola is one of our varsity captains. She has grown as a dancer and leader over the past two years. We are so proud of her!
AMANDA TRAN
Richwoods Royalettes Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: Great choreographer and excellent dancer with great personal flexibility and style flexibility
GRACIE TUOHY
Cary-Grove Varsity Dance Team / SR.
Coach notes: Another one of my captains that is so dedicated to this team! Always stepping up to the plate and always keeps the best for her team in mind. Truly embodies what being a leader is and leaves everything out on the floor every time she performs. This year was unlike any other but that didn’t stop her and she never gave up and encouraged her teammates to never give up as well and encourages everyone to work hard.
ANNIE TYRRELL
DeKalb Barbettes Dance Team / SR.
Years dancing: 9
Favorite memory of being on your team? Going to state!
Favorite skill to perform? Side firebirds
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Yes, I had to work extra hard to get multiple pirouettes and advanced second combinations.
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Jazz
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Hip hop
Stuff you do when not dancing: Playing with my dog or eating ice cream
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? Coach Allie from DeKalb High School and Miss Lisa from Studio M Dance Company!
Coach notes: Annie has been on our Varsity team since her freshman year, and is currently one of our Head Captains. This year she showed great leadership skills as she led the team through a very different kind of season. Annie is a hardworking and dedicated athlete, and an important member of our team!
MAGGIE UPHOFF
Mattoon Varsity Wavettes Dance Team / SR.
Years dancing: 11
Favorite memory of being on your team? Staying in a hotel due to a snow storm after IHSA sectionals my sophomore year. This was my first year on varsity, and I was able to really bond with the whole team through a whole night of card games and laughing.
Favorite skill to perform? Turns in second, anything artistic
Is there a skill that you had to work extra hard to get? Turns in second
Favorite style of dance to PERFORM? Lyrical / contemporary
Favorite style of dance to WATCH? Lyrical / contemporary
Stuff you do when not dancing: Spend time with friends, stay involved in school activities, attend monthly church meetings, and volunteer for my 4-H club and my youth group.
Any studios, dance teachers, or supporters you’d like to mention that helped you get to where you are today? My dance coach, Malia Smith, and my very supportive parents, Bill and Kim Uphoff.
Coach notes: Maggie has been with the Mattoon Dance program for 7 years. She is an extremely hard worker and a natural leader for our team. The growth she has shown throughout the years is tremendous.