Members of the drill team participated in the Crowd Pleasers Drill Team Competition in Dallas Fort Worth on Saturday. This is the third year for the team to participate in competitions, but the first year for this specific competition.

“I am looking forward to the growth of the program through experiences like this,” Star Stepper Assistant Director Krista Mullican said. “It was perfectly organized and our girls had fun, which matters most.”

The team competed with an officer line, duets, and solos. The officers, including seniors Macy Beeler, Charlotte McConathy, Joey Forsyth, Abby Shine, Blaire Gano, and junior Ila Varnado, performed three dances of jazz, lyrical, and novelty.

“Dallas is full of amazing dancers, so I think it was a great opportunity for our team,” Beeler said. “Everyone who competed tried their hardest during performance and practice, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

The officers won with their open and novelty performances and were second runner-up for their lyrical. Sophomores Kayden King and Faith Olds performed a duet where they placed second runner-up. 

“I think this competition was a great way to start off our official competition season,” McConathy said. “It was great for us to experience a higher level of competition, and I am very proud of everyone and seeing everyone try their hardest.”

The team began practicing for this competition in the beginning of the school year through both morning and in-class practices. Before the competition, the team had a show-off where they could perform all of their routines for the public.

“We had a lot of practice before the main performance, and the show-off was just a way for us to feel how the competition would be like,” senior Maddie Farmer said. “I’m excited to see what the future of the team will look like.”