The Mundelein Varsity Dance Team has made history! On Feb. 13-17, for the first time ever, the team embarked on a trip to Orlando Florida to compete in a national competition hosted by Dance Team Union. Not only was the dance team able to compete at a national level, but they excelled at it too.
The team’s Varsity Coach, Maya Gold, said, “We were honored to get the opportunity to share the stage with various teams from all over the country at this prestigious event.”
Gold added, “At this event, we competed in the Large Varsity division in both hip hop and jazz. Both our routines made it to the Semi Finals Round with our jazz routine advancing to finals. After getting the opportunity to perform at finals, our team placed 17th in the nation!”
Competing at nationals was an especially special experience for the seniors on the team.
Senior and captain Emma Kisselburg said, “Since my freshman year it has been my dream to go to nationals and actually getting there this year was a dream come true. Then, when we found out we made it to finals, for our first time going to nationals, it filled me with such pride and joy. The bonding I shared with my team, the accomplishments, the hard work, and the perseverance shown by my team while we were there was something I will never forget and something that will continue to inspire me for years to come!”
Senior and captain Rose Madison also described the experience to be “a dream come true.” She said how making it to finals at nationals was such a rewarding experience.
A specific moment to remember was, “Immediately after we found out we made it to finals, everyone went running around the convention and jumped in the pool fully clothed,” said Junior Anna Hulls and junior captain of the dance team.
The hard work and dedication of the dance team paid off at nationals, but some members described how the season had challenges, and it was difficult to stay motivated until nationals.
Hulls said, “Our season started well, but we lost a little bit of motivation when we didn’t make it to the State IHSA competition.”
Another team member and junior Ava Erickson, explained that it was nice to get a different perspective of judges who weren’t just from Illinois to watch the dance.
Hulls added that one reason the team stayed motivated was because of their positivity. “It’s helpful having a positive coach who is always there for us,” she said.
Furthermore, Hulls and Erickson, both juniors, agreed that another source of motivation for working hard for nationals was for the graduating seniors on the team.
Hulls said, “Having nine seniors gave me a lot of motivation to do well for not only myself but for them.”
As one of the graduating seniors on the team, Madison said, “I’m sure I can speak for all the seniors including myself when saying that it was a bittersweet time, as it marked the end of our season; however, I am so grateful to have been able to spend this amazing experience with my amazing teammates and best friends!”
Gold added how while the motivation and positivity of the team certainly enabled them to do well at nationals, the whole endeavor would not have been achievable without the help and support of MHS and the community.
“We were so grateful to get to perform at finals, and to place amongst these amazing teams from across the nation. This experience would not be made possible without the support of the Athletic Department, MHS administration, our sponsors and our team parents who helped us fundraise to attend this event,” said Gold.
Gold added how the team has benefited from competing at nationals. “Nationals allowed us the opportunity to learn from a variety of teams from all over the nation and to have the chance to compete at a national level!,” she said, “we have absorbed information about performance, the choreography process, and creative execution–that we brought back with us to challenge the level of artistry and athleticism of our program. It was an amazing experience for such a special group of athletes. We are so grateful to have had this opportunity!”
