The Becker Dance Team held their annual awards banquet March. 1 at 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 2017-2018 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.
The Granite Ridge All Conference Awards went to Cienna Pleoger and Melody Swanson (Kick) and Cienna Pleoger, Melody Swanson and Morgan Peterson (Jazz). Honorable Mention Kick went to Lauren Baloun and Autumn Martin. While, Honorable Mention Jazz went to Madison Pleoger and Emma Proefrock.
All State went to Cienna Ploeger and All State Honorable Mention was received by Melody Swanson and Morgan Peterson.
The Most Prepared Award was awarded to Morgan Meyer and the Best Team Player Award went to Madison Pleoger.
The Teachable and Humble Spirit Award was given to Morgan Weber.
The Chameleon Award, which goes to the team members who frequently changed positions in order to help the team, went to Amanda Jonas of JV and Taylor Larson of Varsity.
Most Improved JV Kick was given to Skylar Kipka and Most Improved Varsity Kick to Paige Mohs.
Most Improved JV Jazz was awarded to Amanda Krenz and Most Improved Varsity Jazz went to Samantha Stellmach.
Best Kicks went to Cienna Pleoger, while Best Turns was awarded Morgan Peterson.
Best Toe Point was received by Lauren Baloun, Best Facials JV by Colette Koscielniak and Best Facials Varsity to Autumn Martin.
The 110% Award was awarded to Skylar Kipka, while Great Attitude Award received by Trinity Olson-Burkman.
Scholar Athlete, which is awarded to the top cumulative GPA varsity letter winner that has completed their sophomore year, went to Junior Morgan Peterson.
Participation Awards went to Jenna Ulbrich, Amanda Jonas, Melina Warner, Madalynn Finney, Morgan Weber, Alyssa Krenz, Claire Dierkhising, Jenika Polfliet, Trinity Olson-Burkman and Colette Koscielnial.
Varsity letters were awarded to Gabriella Thelen, Paige Mohs, Amanda Krenz, Sophia Diaz, Skylar Kipka, Kailey Peterson.
Repeat letter recipients were as follows Samantha Stellmach, Melody Swanson, Morgan Meyer, Heaven Bray, Lauren Baloun, Cassidy Pleoger, Cienna Pleoger, Madison Pleoger, Morgan Peterson, Emma Proefrock, Isabelle Swanson, Autumn Martin and Taylor Larson.
The team voted on the following Awards; Hardest Worker Varsity went to Madison Pleoger, Most Dedicated JV to Skylar Kipka and Most Dedicated Varsity to Madison Pleoger. With Melody Swanson receiving MVP.
Each year the Becker dance team presents this award in honor of teammate Brianna Bertram who passed away in 2014 from complication 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 years recipient was Sophomore Isabelle Swanson. Izzy is a team player who is always there for her teammates, helping wherever she is needed, even when she isn't dancing.
She is persistent in her goals even when she experiences set backs. Her positive and caring attitude make her a very valuable member of the team.
Each year, the MN Association of Dance Teams hold their annual all state performances as a conclusion to the dance team season.
Member coaches, send in video and nominations from their team. A panel then reviews all submissions and make selections for both Jazz and Kick in the A, AA and AAA classes.
Receiving honorable mention this year for Becker were Melody Swanson and Morgan Peterson. Selected for the 2017-2018 team and representing Becker in Class AA was Cienna Pleoger at the performance March 10 at Eden Prairie High School.
After selection, participants receive a video link with their routines and are required to learn those routines on their own.
The morning of the performance, dancers from all over the state come together, get into formation and practice routines for the performances that evening.
Participants learn a routine in either kick or jazz as well as a Finale. They also prepare a short piece to perform during introductions.
"It is really a unique opportunity for athletes from all over the state to perform together! The show is so fun to watch and really showcases some of the best dancers in Minnesota!" said Coach Fischer-Danzeisen. The event is held every March as a conclusion to the competitive season.
Tryouts for next season were held March 6 - 8.
"We had a great turn out for tryouts this year. The week is always full of a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. After learning and performing a short routine as well as executing a series of skills and completing a questionnaire, thirty three athletes were selected to the team for next season. We are looking forward to another great year!" said Coach Baloun.