Whether it’s entertaining the crowd at a basketball game or traveling hours on a bus to compete, the Viking dance team always delivers a show-stopping performance.
On Thurs., Feb. 6, students lined the halls to cheer on the dancers as they left for Orlando, Fla., where the Dance Team Union National Championship–or DTU Nationals–was being held.
DTU was formed in 2016, with its primary purpose being to give a new approach to dance team training and competition.
The team did well, placing 7th in showdown and 27th out of 40 schools in their jazz routine.
They have competed at a national competition before, but senior Addison Hale, who plans to attend East Tennessee State University in the fall, feels that this one was a much better experience.
“I think it was the most fun that we’ve ever had as a team,” Hale said. “Our coaches this year really encourage us to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Not only did they show Viking pride, but they also grew together as a team, forming new bonds and strengthening friendships. Madelyn Hess, a senior who has been dancing since she was 4, said that this trip was important to the team for both competitiveness and spirit.
“I think we definitely all grew closer as teammates and friends, and even our coaches,” Hess said. “We all grew together, just like hanging out together, and spending five days together.”
Head Coach Laci Gott, who is in her first year of coaching the Viking dance team, described this trip as a fun environment and said that this was the dancers’ best performance yet.
“I truly believe that it’s because the girls were so positive, focused, and professional athletes the entire time,” Gott said. “I believe all the girls feel closer to each other after this trip, and I definitely feel closer to them as well.”
The team faced some challenges along the way, including the unfortunate dislocation of junior Georgia Kate Massengill’s left knee during one of their routines.
“I was just… kind of in shock because I looked down at my knee, and obviously it was just kind of out of place,” Massengill said.
Despite the injury, Georgia Kate kept dancing, not wanting to let her team down in the season’s biggest competition. She showed noteworthy perseverance and sportsmanship, and the other dancers and coaches were extremely proud of her.
“I just didn’t want to let my team down,” Massengill said. “And my adrenaline… was going, so it just made me keep dancing.”
“I have never seen that kind of toughness in my 19 years of dancing,” said head coach Laci Gott.
The rest of the team, however, had only minutes to re-block the dance for the next routine, necessitating high levels of communication and teamwork between the dancers and their coaches.
“We had to redo one of our routines 45 minutes before we had to compete it again in the semifinals,” Hale said. “We really just had to laser in and focus and make sure that we had each other’s backs, and we knew what everyone was doing individually, so I think it really built our trust with our teammates and our coaches.”
Dr. Ashley Shu was able to support her daughter, Gracie, and attend the Orlando trip. She said, “The girls did amazing and represented Tennessee High well.”
Coach Gott said she is extremely proud of all of her dancers for the strength, maturity, and resilience they showed, and how they did not let adversity define them.
“You inspire me more than you know…Every early morning, every long practice, every tough correction — it is all worth it because of you all.” Gott said.
Although the team faced an unexpected turn of events, they persevered and put on a great show. Through teamwork, grit, and determination, they showed the dance world who Tennessee High School is.
“I think my favorite memory from the trip was coming offstage after performing jazz, and getting to see all of our parents and hugging each other, and hearing how everyone was proud of us,” Hess said.
