Highsteppers Impressive at NDA Nationals
The Huntington Highsteppers capped off another dynamic season with a series of sensational performances at the National Dance Alliance championships in Orlando, Florida earlier this month. Huntington High School's competitive dance team self-funded the trip and worked hard to successfully battle some of the top squads in the country.
Coached by Samantha Natalello and Allison Greenstein, the Highsteppers' national team consisted of seniors Alexandra Smith, Ashley Angstadt, Elizabeth Sager, Katie Fleming, Chrissy O'Grady and Kylie Phelan, juniors Alexa Gorczycki, Olivia Macvicar Flug and Kristin Berner, sophomores Elizabeth Corrao, Emily Sager, Olivia Lopez, Meaghan McArthur, Ariella Danziger and Steph Armstrong and freshmen Anna Brosoff, Holly Loturco and Emily Williams. Ms. Angstadt and Ms. Smith served as senior captains while Ms. Gorczycki was the junior captain.
"Our trip to the NDA nationals was great," Ms. Angstadt said. "Throughout the season the team worked extremely hard at practice and with fundraising." The Highsteppers performed at Blue Devil football and basketball games and entered various competitions leading up the national finals.
The Highsteppers were impressive earlier at the regionals, earning first place in the varsity open category for its team dance and second place for both pom and kick. "The team this year, I personally feel, is the strongest it's been in a while," Ms. Angstadt said. "All of the girls are dedicated, hardworking and work well together."
Performing at the NDA nationals in Orlando kept the Highsteppers motivated throughout the season. "We all knew we'd be competing against some of the best high school dance teams, not only from America, but from Japan," Ms. Angstadt said. "The nationals were a really great experience and I think it helped to put into perspective our love for our team. It was overall an exciting trip and helped us to pull together as a group and work to our full potential."
The Highsteppers flew into Florida and once they settled into their hotel they went right to sleep. The team was up at 4 a.m. the next day and at the competition site by 5:45 a.m. They were on the Hard Rock Live stage at 7 a.m. putting on their team performance. What followed were more performances in the categories of small varsity jazz, medium varsity pom and small varsity kick.
"It was such a long day, but it was amazing," Ms. Smith said. "Our first dance was team performance, which our entire team takes part in. This dance includes all kick, pom and hip hop. Next was dance team, where only a few of us dance in. After that we had pom and then kick."
The Huntington dance team hardly had a moment to breathe. "It was a jam-packed day of dancing and anticipation to find out if we would advance to finals," Ms. Angstadt said.
In addition to their coaches, the Highsteppers were accompanied to Orlando by a set of parent chaperones that included Kate Smith, Deborah Angstadt, Donna Rollo, Jane Macvicar and Donna Danziger.
The Highsteppers' small varsity jazz dance group did indeed advance to finals, receiving the highest performance score in a field of 35 teams from across the nation. "This dance's theme was 'zombies' and it was a huge hit among the other teams and NDA officials," Ms. Angstadt said. Huntington's small varsity jazz dance team placed ninth in the nation overall in a field of 17 finalists.
"This was such an accomplishment for the Highsteppers and we were so proud of what we achieved," Ms. Angstadt said. Participating teams came from coast to coast and were regarded as the "cream of the crop" of high school dance squads.
"When 'Zombie' was chosen to move on into finals it was amazing news to our team," Ms. Smith said. "We worked on the dance that night to perfect it for the next day's competition. I have never been so proud of my team."
Once the competition had concluded it was time for the Highsteppers to head into Universal's amusement park and enjoy the rides and entertainment. "Performing in the nationals was probably one of the best experiences I have ever had," Ms. Smith said. "Our team really came together and truly became one big family."
The Highsteppers never fail to elicit a warm welcome whenever they perform at halftime of a Blue Devil game. Huntington High School has embraced its dance team. Competing in the national championships always motivates the team to work hard throughout the season.
"This weekend was so much fun, but was very emotional at the same time," Ms. Smith said. "It was the last time the seniors were dancing with the team. This was the best way to end this season and I wouldn't change a thing about it."