The Becker Dazzlers dance team held their annual awards banquet Thursday in the high school north commons.
The annual banquet is a night to celebrate both team and individual accomplishments from the past season.
In attendance were 2016-2017 team members, coaches and team member parents and families. A meal was provided by parents and Booster Club members. Those in attendance enjoyed a video presentation filled with photos and videos from the past season. The evening concluded with the awards ceremony.
Granite Ridge All-Conference Awards
Kick - Morgan Meyer and Cienna Pleoger; Jazz- Meyer, Cienna Pleoger and Melody Swanson;
Honorable Mention Kick
Swanson and Lauren Baloun;
Honorable Mention Jazz
Madison Pleoger and Morgan Peterson;
Competitive Award
Cienna Pleoger;
Supportive Award
Amanda Jonas, Isabelle Swanson and Claire Dierkhising;
Teammate Award
Madison Pleoger and Heaven Bray;
Chameleon Award (went to team members who frequently changed spots in order to help the team)
Taylor Larson and Hailey Watts;
Most Focused
Baloun;
First Year Standout
Faith Gott and Morgan Peterson;
Veteran Standout
Melody Swanson and Morgan Meyer;
Most Improved JV Jazz
Gabriella Thelen;
Most Improved JV Kick
Morgan Weber;
Most Improved Varsity Jazz
Cassidy Pleoger;
Most Improved Varsity Kick
Emma Proefrock.
Academic Awards:
The spotlight on scholarship award goes to athletes grades 9-12 who are on JV or varsity and have a cumulative GPA between 3.0 - 4.0. The Dazzlers had 15 athletes who were eligible for this award and all of them earned certificates for their achievements.
The awards went to Baloun, Heaven Bray, Sophie Diaz, Claire Dierkhising, Taylor Larson, Autumn Martin, Morgan Meyer, Morgan Peterson, Cienna Pleoger, Madison Pleoger, Isabelle Swanson, Samantha Stellmach, Melody Swanson, Isabella Watts and Morgan Weber.
Conference Academic Award
This award is for athletes in grades 9-12 who lettered on varsity and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher. Ten team members earned this award.
This award went to Baloun, Taylor Larson, Autumn Martin, Morgan Meyer, Morgan Peterson, Cienna Pleoger, Madison Pleoger, Samantha Stellmach, Melody Swanson and Isabella Watts.
Scholar Athlete
The scholar athlete award is presented to the top cumulative GPA varsity letter winner that has completed their sophomore year.
This year's recipient is junior Morgan Meyer.
MADT Team Academic Award
The Dazzlers earned a Minnesota Association of Dance Team Academic Award with a cumulative Team (9-12 grade) GPA of 3.814.
Participation Awards went to: Sophia Diaz, Claire Dierkhising, Faith Gott, Amanda Jonas, Alyssa Krenz, Madison McDonald, Gabriella Thelen, Hailey Watts and Morgan Weber.
Varsity Letters were awarded to: Heaven Bray, Taylor Larson, Morgan Peterson, Cassidy Pleoger, Emma Proefrock and Isabelle Swanson.
Repeat Letter Winners were: Lauren Baloun, Autumn Martin, Morgan Meyer, Cienna Pleoger, Madison Pleoger, Samantha Stellmach, Melody Swanson and Isabella Watts.
The team voted on the following awards:
Most Dedicated JV - Claire Dierkhising;
Most Dedicated Varsity - Morgan Meyer;
Hardest Worker Varsity - Madison Pleoger;
MVP - Morgan Meyer.
Brianna Bertram Award
Each year, the Dazzlers present this special award in honor of teammate Brianna Bertram, who passed away in 2014 from complications of Cystic Fibrosis. This award goes to someone who displays a positive attitude even while overcoming obstacles. This person is persistent in their goals, supportive of their team and a role model on and off the competition floor.
This year’s recipient is junior Samantha Stellmach, whose season was cut short due to injury for the second time in her varsity career. Despite disappointment, Sami remained positive and continued to support and encourage her team.
“Sami sets a great example for her team,” said Coach Julie Baloun. “She exemplifies many of the same attributes that Brianna did as a team member including perseverance, hard work, team spirit and a positive attitude despite personal challenges.”
“She is an asset to our team and we are all so lucky to have her,” added Coach Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen.
The Dazzlers are looking forward to next season. With no seniors this year, they will return all of their varsity veterans next year. There is still time to try out for next years team with one last try out set for Sat., April 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Becker High School gym.
Girls who are currently in grades 6 - 11 are eligible to try out.
Contact coaches Julie Baloun and Nadia Fischer-Danzeisen at bhsdtcoaches@gmail.com with any questions.
