The Huntington High School Highsteppers competitive dance team captured dual third place honors at the Long Island Dance Team Association Regionals at Walt Whitman.
This marks the first time ever that the Highsteppers have competed in this particular event and due to COVID-19, it’s the first competition for the group in two years.
“I could not have asked for a better team to make my first year coaching more memorable,” said Samantha Allen, the team’s coach and advisor. The Highsteppers have proven time and again to be a determined, driven team throughout the season. Despite disappointing cancellations, whether due to COVID or inclement weather, these girls never lost their spirit.”
The Highsteppers are an exceptionally athletic, creative and altogether talented group of young ladies. They devote hours to learning and rehearsing their routines. The group also performed at halftime of football and basketball games, at the fall pep rally, bonfire and Homecoming Day festivities.
“At our first and only competition of the season held by LIDTA, the Highsteppers took home third place in the medium varsity pom category and third place in medium varsity lyrical,” Ms. Allen. “I am so proud of their hard work and dedication this year and I am so proud to be their coach. Congratulations to the graduating seniors this year. This team will miss you!”
The team includes seniors Grace Colavecchio, Christina Drummings (captain), Naysa Escobar, Keira Francis, Victoria Mangan and Jillian LoTurco (captain); juniors Victoria Befumo (captain), Brooke Evans, Maria Sabatino and Sophia Thompson (captain); sophomores Adriana Abbatiello, Camilla D’Anna, Lea DeVoe, Ariana James, Kaitlyn Sansiviero and Ava Tizzio; and freshmen Rosie Arner and Alyssa Evans.
“I’m so happy we got the chance to have our season and be able to compete this past weekend, seeing as we haven’t been able to do that for about two years now,” Ms. Drummings said. “I’m very proud of my team for all of their hard work this season and for performing to the best of their abilities and bringing home two wins. I also want to thank my teammates and my coach for giving me one amazing final season of Highstepping, one I will never forget.”
The Highsteppers are well-known for their hip performances. They never fail to elicit cheers from the crowd. The group is comprised of skilled dancers and talented performers.
“Although we were only able to attend one competition this season, I’m still so proud of my team for working extremely hard,” senior Jillian LoTurco said. “I’m going to miss the girls so much next year, but I know they will be very successful during competition season. We could not have been as successful if it wasn’t for our coach, Samantha Allen. She has put countless hours into creating dances for us to succeed at competition and we are all so thankful for her.”
