After attending a Universal Dance Association (UDA) camp along with three regional tournaments, varsity Mystique has qualified to attend UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
Jaden Mitchell, junior, is a captain for varsity Mystique. Mitchell said Mystique competes with a pom and lyrical jazz routine at each competition.
“Pom is a lot of sharp movement that is completely synchronized,” Mitchell said. “Lyrical jazz is more dancing with emotion and telling a story.”
Aside from hours spent at practices three to four times a week, Mitchell said the bond the team has is what allows them to succeed.
“Everybody is extremely close and everybody wants to do it for each other,” Mitchell said. “You do it for the person next to you.”
Giselle Lund, freshman, said her connection with the team has also helped her navigate starting high school.
“I am so lucky that the team is made up of such amazing girls and coaches who make me feel really comfortable,” Lund said. “There is no other group of people I would rather be on a team with.”
Lund said starting off the season with two first place trophies at the Fort Zumwalt North Invitational is one of her favorite memories.
“With it being my first year on the team, I wasn’t sure about what was to come,” Lund said. “That success motivated me to work even harder.”
Lund is excited to represent MHS at UDA Nationals while competing alongside teams from around the country.
“I am looking forward to getting to do what I love with the people I love,” Lund said.
Allison Markus, varsity head coach, is eager for the team to show what they have worked on this season at Nationals.
“It’s so special to get to share something we have worked so hard on and are so proud of with people who haven’t seen it,” Markus said. “This year’s team is made up of some of the hardest working dancers I have ever gotten to work with.”
While Varsity Mystique has placed first in every competition this season, Markus said her goal is never for the team to place well, but rather for the team to be proud of what they did at the end of the day.
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“It’s the little victories that make up the big moments,” Markus said.