In a year of uncertainty and new beginnings, the Great Bend High School Dance Team was able to travel to Newton High School on Feb. 6 to compete in an in-person dance competition. The Innovative Dance Classic pivoted to provide a safe environment for all dancers and spectators to maintain some level of normalcy for the activity and to offer up this opportunity for dance teams and dance studios across the state.

The Panther Dance team spent many early mornings leading up to the weekend to prepare for the competition. Head coach Lindsay Homeier and seniors Rylee Ayon and Kelci Popp choreographed the two team routines the ladies took to competition, both earning a 2 rating.

Individual members were also given the opportunity to compete in more individualized categories. Team members that prepared solos, included along with their ratings, were: Kelci Popp (2), Abbie Moyers (2), Raven Ellis (2), Ellie Peters (1 and 2), and Laura Daniel (3).

Team members competing in the duet category, receiving a 2, were Nineth Zuany and Avah Holden. Ellie Peters also earned a specialized award for the choreography of her solo “Legs,” which was choreographed by coach Homeier.

Coach Homeier and Assistant Coach Kelli Henderson said they could not have been prouder of the girls’ hard work, determination and willingness to work as a team toward a common goal. 

“Going to an in-person was needed, for all of us,” Homeier said. “It reinvigorated our passion for dance and gave us a more unified purpose to reach our goals.”

The team  finished the school season Feb. 19, with their home performance at the basketball games for Senior Night and will have tryouts for the upcoming season in mid-March.