Delphi High School pioneered a grand idea last spring. The feat entailed the combination of the dance and cheer teams into one force. With the responsibility of all the pep on this side of Carroll County, the dance and cheer team straightened their bows and pulled up in their pirouettes and went to work attempting to master each other’s craft under one title: The DCHS Golden Girls. After a full fall season of Oracle Football, the Golden Girls had seen the highs and lows. Dancers were stunting and cheerleaders were turning, but the passion for the very different activities was not there. The team decided to divide and conquer for the impending season of Oracle basketball.

The team chemistry amidst the Golden Girls is amazingly strong, considering it consists of 16 teenage girls thrown into an undesirable circumstance by each party. The dance girls and the cheer girls collaborated very smoothly. So one may ask: where was the problem if everyone got along? Intertwining dance and cheer into one activity because they both are entertainment would be equal to combining the volleyball and basketball teams because they use the same court. Cheer is a skill that involves whole body strength, because how else would one lift a 130 lb girl above her head. It involves balance to be able to sustain yourself in the air, and constant pep and smiles (which is enough of a challenge alone). Dance is more of an art form, entailing self-discipline, careful attention to detail and technique, and strength and flexibility.

The team is still under one title and one unified coaching staff. The girls will perform a unified routine to our school song, played by the band. Each member of the team has the option to cheer, dance at basketball games, and/or dance on the competition team. Luckily, some girls are participating in all three sub teams. Tryouts for both dance and cheer were held the second week of November. The dance team attained six excited new members; the cheer team recruited seven new members as well.

The cheerleaders are excited to bring out some new, advanced stunts to impress the crowd and get pumped for the season. Senior Jordan Dowell is a team captain. “I am thankful for all the new cheerleaders and (ever so sarcastically) all the new male lifters!” The team is working hard to impress at the next game.  Team captain, Miranda Clingenpeel, said, “It’s hard work but it’s fun. “

The dance side of the team is getting down to business with the first IHSDTA competition on Dec. 5, 2015, at Lebanon High School and games weeks before. Choreography and technique and “5,6,7,8…” is being stressed (loudly might I add) from inside the realm of the DCMS cafeteria. Sophomore Kristina Powlen is a team captain for the dance team. Team members Erika Ross, Emilee Gear, and Kristina Powlen will spend time choreographing, cutting music, and teaching and cleaning each routine this season. With all the time and effort, they set their goals on the IHSDTA State Finals in March of 2016.