The typical suitcase for a trip to Orlando might include a swimsuit and a good book. However, for their trip to Orlando, Varsity Mystique will be loading a lot more dancewear into their bags, so they’re ready to compete at the NDA National Competition.

Coach Cara Nutt said that Mystique has attended Nationals for many years, but this is their second time going to NDA. There have been some changes in the competition even since last year, including the utilization of alternates.  

“It has really been beneficial for the team as it just so happens quite a few of our members have suffered injuries throughout the year,” Nutt said. “Having an alternate ready to go in when a teammate is injured has saved us time and time again from being put in a situation where we have to scratch a routine or schedule emergency practices for re-choreographing.”

As far as their routines go, the team will be performing two, on separate days.

“We compete in our first Prelims Friday the 26th in the Small Varsity Jazz category followed by Medium Varsity Pom Prelims Saturday morning,” Nutt said.

Although the main priority is the dancing, Nutt said she is looking forward to observing the dynamic among the girls on the team.

“This year’s team is made up of about half and half veteran to rookie Varsity members, so what I am looking forward to most is experiencing Nationals through the eyes of a rookie, and watching our veterans teach and coach the rookies all the way,” she said.

One of the rookies attending Nationals is Lily Reasoner, junior. She is looking forward to all aspects of the upcoming trip.

“I’m so excited to finally be going to what we work for all year. I’m also so excited to travel and spend time with my team!” Reasoner said.

Preparing for this major competition has been no easy task for Reasoner, however. She said she practices outside of school and attends a dance studio to improve her technique. On top of that, she has scheduled practices.

“We have practice everyday except for Wednesdays and Fridays. We practice from 3:15 to 5:30 and have morning practice from 6:00 to 8:00 every Thursdays and some Tuesdays,” she said.

Of the two routines she’s been working on at these practices, Reasoner said Poms is her favorite.

“It is Broadway themed and it is so energetic. It always gets us all pumped up and the crowd enjoys it too!” she said.

Reasoner also mentioned the close bonds she has with all the girls on the team.

“All of us are like sisters. We are all there for each other and work together so well,” she said.
“We are always excited for dance and always ready to work hard at practice.”

Another dancer attending the competition is Lauren Bhambri, senior. Bhambri has been on Mystique all four years of high school and on varsity for three. This is her third year attending Nationals.

As a yet, Bhambri had a few words of wisdom for the rookies, like Reasoner.

“Put everything you have into the two minutes we have on that stage because you never know how many more you will have,” she said.

Her advice stems from her own love of the stage. In fact, this is one thing that has never gotten old for her through the years.

“I’d probably say my favorite part is dancing on a big stage under bright lights with our moms and coaches cheering us on louder than ever,” Bhambri said.

Along with moments like this, Bhambri also treasures moments of victory, like when the team performed extremely well in jazz prelims last year.

“That night we went out to dinner at Margaritaville and we all got balloon hats, but they were all connected to each other, so we walked around the city connected by our balloon hats and stopped and danced and everyone stared at us, but we were having a blast,” she said.