Twenty-one members of the Becker High School Dazzlers dance team attended the Just for Kix Camp held on the beautiful campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, July 19-22.
Teams participating included Orono, Tartan, River Ridge, Chatfield, Northfield and Cass Lake (ND) among others.
The Becker athletes learned three new routines that worked to enhance jazz, kick, and precision skills (from beginner to advanced dancer) in addition to a "Fun Jam" routine in which part of the choreography was created by the team. This routine was competed on the third evening of camp and the Dazzlers earned the second place plaque for this competitive event.
The Becker athletes also enjoyed private coaching for skills and technique in kicks and jumps from the Just For Kix camp staff. Becker Dazzler Coaches Laura Anderson, Julie Baloun and Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen acted as chaperones and participated in camp classes on coaching skills, identifying and correcting technique and skill opportunities, nutrition for dancers and more.
Prior to heading to River Falls for this summer's camp, the team choreographed, and practiced a "home routine" to perform and compete on the first evening of camp.
Several weeks of hard work during summer practices paid off and earned this group the first place spot in this competition.
The team also earned the Most Spirited Team Day One Award.
During the second evening of camp, the special skills competition was held in which several members of the team signed up to compete. Generally, only juniors and seniors from teams compete in one or more categories (turns, jumps, toe-touches and kicks) to go against all the other schools at camp.
This year, the Dazzlers had seventh and eighth graders join some of the team's veterans in this event.
Each team is permitted to have up to four girls compete in each category. The competition consists of three rounds with cuts after each round. The challenges increased as the rounds progressed.
In the "jump" event, Georgia Thom (sophomore) made it through the first round and Ali Bloom (sophomore) was a finalist.
In the "toe-touch" event, Thom was a finalist and Cienna Pleoger (eighth grade) earned the third place medal,
In the "high kick" event, Mikayla Henkemeyer (senior) was awarded the third place medal and Morgan Meyer (sophomore) was awarded the second place medal.
In the "turns" event, Pleoger participated in the event along with Bella Watts (eighth grade) and Emily Merkley (seventh grade). Watts and Merkley advanced to the second round. Madison Anderson (senior) was awarded the first place medal for this event.
On the fourth day of camp, all dance camp participants performed the new routines learned at camp for family friends and other camp participants.
An award ceremony was held after these performances. Mary Goenner (sophomore) was presented the "Firecracker" award for demonstrating and generating energy, passion and enthusiasm each day at camp.
Just For Kix annually awards a Heather Habeck Memorial Award at each summer camp. The award is the highest individual award that Just For Kix gives and it embodies both the firecracker award and the most outstanding dancer award. Anderson of Becker took home the honor.
“As a coach, I could not be more proud of each and every member of my team,” said Laura Anderson. “All camp participants presented themselves as outstanding kids and on many occasions, the Just For Kix camp staff took notice and commented on what a great, positive and hard working group of girls we have on the Dazzlers dance team.”
Anderson soaked it all in as she reminisced about her senior team members and all their success.
“When Heather Sanders, Mikayla Henkemeyer and my daughter, Madison were recognized in their final year of high school dance team, it hit me that these girls have been dancing on this team with me in the entire six years that I have been coaching - since they were in the seventh grade,” she said. “I will admit that I shed a few tears.”
She was extremely proud of the fact her girls shined against some very solid competition.
“When so many team members participated and took home medals for the special skills competition, I again recognized the courage and drive these team members have to put themselves out there in an effort to become the best dancers and team members that they can be,” Anderson said.
And when Goenner was presented with the Firecracker award, Anderson could hardly contain herself.
“Mary is a firecracker!” She said. “She lights a spark within everyone she comes into contact with.”
The final, special camp moment for the coach on a personal level was when her senior captain and daughter Madison was presented with the Heather Habeck Memorial Award.
“I am thrilled for Madison and I am confident that there will be additional Heather Habeck Memorial Awards in the future of this outstanding team."
The Becker Dazzlers have two remaining summer practices and some fundraising activities planned for August before kicking off its official season in October. The team will also be hosting a Homecoming week dance camp for kids ages 3-12 after school during Sept. 14-17 with a performance at the Homecoming football game that Friday, Sept.18.
Information will be available in the Fall Community Education catalog when published. Questions about the fall dance camp may also be directed to Coach Laura Anderson at: beckerdancecoach@gmail.com.
