Out of five
area competitions in the 2004-2005 season,
the dance team took home one first-place
trophy and two second-place trophies.
The eight-woman team, all students on
the Coon Rapids Campus of Anoka-Ramsey
Community College (ARCC), placed first
at the College of St. Benedict Dance
Team Invitational held January 29. They
earned second place at the Blaine High
School Dance Team Invitational held Jan.
22, and second place at the Minnesota
Vikings Dance Competition held Jan. 15.
“The team has grown immensely
in skill level and dedication this year,” says
team coach and dance team member Missy
Mills. Each member had to audition to
earn a place on the team. “We looked
not so much for skill-level at the start,
but for potential and drive,” Mills
says. They also had to be willing to
meet the strict practice schedule: three
hours per practice three times a week
all season long. In return, ARCC furnishes
the team with costumes and warm-up clothes,
provided through the college’s
student activity funds.
The college division in which ARCC competes
comprises ten area schools. To compete,
each dance team must choreograph and
perform a 2 ½-minute jazz-funk
routine. The ARCC dance team performed
their routines to Gwen Stefani’s
pop hit, “What You Waiting For?”
The ARCC Dance Team has also earned
high marks from fellow ARCC students,
who have enjoyed numerous performances
during half-time at this season’s
home games of the ARCC men’s and
women’s basketball teams.
“We love performing at home games,
because everyone is so enthusiastic,” Mills
says. Members of this year’s ARCC Dance
Team include:
Missy Mills, Coach
Megan Niedert, Captain
Angie Saari, Captain
Rebekah Alan
Jennah Brodersen
Melissa Emon
Ashley Gregor
Jocelyn Schmitcke
Chelsey Shelander
Current and future ARCC students interested
in joining next year’s team should
contact Joyce Traczyk, ARCC Director
of Student Activities and Dance Team
Advisor at 763-422-3362.
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