The Delphi Dance team is preparing once again for another great season.  Last year’s season was a rebuilding year, but this year’s team has already experienced much success. Their success began this summer with an outstanding experience at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) camp, a four day camp hosted at Ball State University.  The team worked extremely hard  to prepare for the NDA camp by choreographing a home routine to perform on the first day of camp while simultaneously working to perfect many skills.

Evidently the summer practices paid off  because the dance team returned home with multiple awards and titles.  Five of the Delphi dancers were nominated to tryout for the All American team, and the All American award was presented to sophomore Emilee Gear and freshman Kristina Powlen.  “ I thought camp was awesome because half of our team was nominated with All American ribbons,” said Kristina Powlen.  Individually,  Kristina was also awarded for being the best leaper and jumper at the camp.  Emilee Gear, Kristina Powlen, and Charlie Holliday earned  Pin It Forward pins by the instructors at the camp for outstanding character demonstrated during those four days.  The team as a whole was also recognized for their talent.   Delphi earned a spirit stick for their attitude and a technical growth award.  Their  home routine received a superior rating and showmanship excellence.  They were awarded with most improved for the second year in a row.  At camp, the team also learned a dance that they performed on the last day.  This camp routine received a superior and gold rating.  Not only was the team awarded for their dance skills, they were also given the camp spirit title, voted upon by the other teams in attendance.

The 2014-2015 Delphi Dance team includes ten members, seven of which are veterans.  This year’s seniors are Emily Kender, Charlie Holliday, and Mikayla Powlen, the team’s only four year member.  The underclassmen include juniors Shannon Leahy and Kate Layman, along with sophomores Emilee Gear and Erika Ross, and freshmen Kristina Powlen, Breighan Rohrman, and Addie Mann.  The team is coached by Mrs. Paige Clinkenbeard and Miss Kristi Kite.

The members are looking forward to another great season and they are still striving to improve as a whole. “As a four year member, there has been positive and negative moments throughout the years,” said Mikayla Powlen.  She hopes that “ as a team, we continue to improve on respecting one another and supporting everyone as a whole.”  Kate Layman said, “I hope that we continue to improve and hear everyone’s opinions and suggestions on the team.”

The dancers are very excited to begin performing.  “ I can’t wait to see how this year’s home and competition season go!” said Emilee Gear. “ Last year was a rebuilding year with a lot of highs and lows, which I now refer to as  ‘Learning Opportunities’.   This year’s team has really stepped up, and I could not be more proud of the collective leadership, passion, and drive in these girls.  I have very high expectations for the team’s competition season.  We appreciate all the school and community support!” said Coach Clinkenbeard.  The Delphi Dance team performs at every home football and basketball game.