Brooke Amosson Sports Editor
The Goldusters, Dazzlers, and Stardusters swept almost every competition they attended this competition season. The Golduster Dance Team won numerous awards like first place in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, and pom style routines. The Dazzler Drill team won first place in lyrical, first runner up in team jazz, second runner up in team pom and team grand champion. The Starduster Pep Squad continued the victorious tradition by winning first place in novelty and pom, getting third place over all.
The Golduster competition season went wonderfully, the spirit of competing has affected all of the team.
“I think it’s important to compete not so that you can prove you’re better than everyone but i think its to prove to yourself your abilities and where you stand and it gives you something to be proud of with a shared group of people,” junior Ellie Price said.
Price is one of the four officers for the Goldusters, she got third place overall in the 11th through 12th division at the first competition and first place at their second competition for 11th grade soloists. Price has always used dance as her escape from reality.
“It’s a way to keep me physically in shape but also mentally, I always feel better after dancing,” Price said.
The experience of growth as a team and individually is what Sophomore Drill Team lieutenant Madeline Popp has gotten out of competition so far.
“I feel like we’ve improved as a team at our comp performances so far, and I personally have improved with my solo and as a dancer,” said Popp.
Popp got first place for 10th grade soloists at the Dazzlers’ second competition. When talking about influences
“My director [Ms. Pawelek] is someone I really look up to, she pushes us really hard and she’s always been one of my biggest supporters,” Popp said.
Our Starduster Pep Squad has seen an immense amount of talent this season, senior Kennedy Wilmarth, captain of the Starduster Pep Squad, has a bittersweet feeling about competition.
“Watching all the solos is one of my favorite parts of competition, especially the freshman and seeing how talented they are, it’s just really fun to watch,” Wilmarth said.
Competition season truly brings all of our OC spirit groups together, waiting to perform and watching each other perform is a shared experience for all of them.
Ariela Muñiz, sophomore officer for the Stardusters said, “The experience that we have and the time that we spend together is the best part of competing.”
The Goldusters and Dazzlers are National Champions. They swept the stage in Florida and came home with the title of national champs. Overall every group in the Goldenstar spirit organization has worked hard to succeed during their competition season and the returning spirit girls look forward to next season.
