ICHS dance team heads to state March 6
The Lady Knights Dance Team of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst has qualified once again to compete in the Team Dance Illinois State Dance finals on Sunday, March 6 in the Peoria Civic Center.
The Lady Knights have competed in six TDI competitions this year, earning a first-place finish in Lyrical four times and going undefeated with six wins in the Open Dance category.
Highlights from the competition season include double wins (in both Lyrical and Open Dance) at Eureka High School in November and at Schaumburg High School in December. In the Open Dance category, all dance styles such as jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop are allowed. In the lyrical category, teams perform using an interpretive dance style that interprets the lyrics/music and emotional composition through the choreography.
The ICHS Lady Knights Dance Team began their successful 2010-11 campaign by attending the Universal Dance Association Dance Camp held at Illinois State University this past July. A fifth-place finish out of 17 entries in the home routine competition qualified the Lady Knights for the National Championships in Walt Disney World. In addition, three ICHS Dance Team members were evaluated and selected to the All-American team – Deirdre Gillette (senior co-captain), Ali Hartnett (senior), and Lauren Cellini (senior). Selection to the All-American team was based on overall strength in the areas of technique, memory, and showmanship.
Members of the Varsity Dance Team include seniors Deirdre Gillette (co-captain), Ali Hartnett, Tara Hill (co-captain), Treshonna Nolan, Lauren Cellini; juniors Chloe Koch (co-captain), Velia Del Fiacco; sophomores Alexa Stisevic, Alexis Lotz; freshmen Cara Horan, Breann Lobello, Raquel Carrera, and Mary Stavropoulos (alternate).
Under the leadership of new Head Coach Elyse Van Camp and Assistant Coach Caitlin Grember, the ICHS Lady Knights Dance Team hopes to cap their stellar season by winning a state title in Peoria. For more information, please check the website at www.ichsknights.org.