This story was submitted by Cassidy Adwell (10, J&C)

The Manual Dazzlers placed second overall in jazz and third overall in hip hop at the National Dance Association Nationals in Orlando, Florida last weekend.  

The Dazzlers competed in the first round of competition on Friday. In Jazz, there were a total of 46 teams, and they had to be in the top 26 to make it to day two of competition. In Hip Hop, there were 24 teams, and they had to qualify in the top 17 to make it to day two. 

First they competed their Jazz routine, “Breathe,” and on day one, they ended in sixth with a few minor mistakes. On day two however, they were able to make a comeback and finish strong in second behind Coronado High School by two tenths of a point. 

“When they announced us second overall, we all were just so happy and have been in such awe about the whole thing,” Simone Oliver (11, YPAS) said.

Once they competed their Jazz routine, they were rather confident and ready for their Hip Hop routine. After a strong performance on day one they ended in third, and they finished in the same spot after day two. 

“We had a one of a kind routine, and we worked extremely hard, and even though the outcome wasn’t exactly what we wanted, we bonded more as a team and had an amazing trip full of lots of laughs and memories we will remember forever,” Mackenzie Cheatham (10, HSU) said.

Since in dance you keep the same routine all year, they have spent all year perfecting their routines and making sure every foot is pointed and every hand is in the correct place.

After Nationals, there are not any more big competitions, and they will continue to compete in smaller local competitions. 

With the Dazzler season coming to an end, they are very proud of where they are now.

“Nationals really is the end of our season, aside from our banquet, but I can say that pretty soon prep classes and tryout dates for next year will be coming,” Madelynn Linnet (10, HSU) said.