BE Dance Team headed to Nationals

For the past six years, Patrice Christian has coached the Bishop England Dance Team, also known as the BE Pom Squad. Christian and her team of girls work tirelessly throughout the year, including summer months, preparing for team camp and various sports’ seasons, where they perform dance routines during half-times and pep rallies. Their hard work is soon to pay off. They will be headed to the UDA National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida in January of 2017. This will be the first time in Bishop England’s dance team history for the team to make such a big commitment for competition.

“The UDA National Dance Team Championship is the most prestigious dance team competition in the country,” says an enthusiastic Christian.

The team will be taking two routines to competition (pom and hip hop). In order for them to be ready, they will be practicing more than they already do, performing more, and branching out into more technique conditioning and higher-level choreography. Sophomore team member, Sofia Infante, says of the competition, “(Prepping for) nationals is a great opportunity to learn time management with school and still have a great time.”

While the girls know hard work is in their future, they also have been informed that there is a big cost associated with going to Nationals. The cost of being a competitive dance team runs close to $3000 per dancer. Included in that amount are the summer camp, costuming, choreography, travel, the cost of competitions and the cost of Nationals.

“The goal we have set is to raise $20,000 through fundraising,” states Christian.

Fundraising efforts started this week on March 9 with La Hacienda Night where a portion of proceeds will be going to the team. Other events are planned throughout the spring, summer and fall, such as a BE dance team summer camp for younger girls, booths at the Daniel Island Farmer’s Markets which resumes in May, “Parents Nights Out” at Peace Love Hip Hop, t-shirt sales, and more.

The journey to nationals is something the girls are looking forward to.

“As a rising senior, I am so grateful for the chance to be a part of the experience of nationals,” say Erin Byrnes, who is currently a junior and the team captain.

The girls are not the only ones excited about this adventure, Christian is ready to move the team to a new level.

“This will mark the first year that Bishop England has ever attended UDA Nationals, and we like to say we are making history!! Bishop England is known for excellence, and the dance team plans to continue this tradition as they represent the school at UDA Nationals!”

Dance Team Fundraising Events

(Register soon as camp and PNO fill up fast!)

Bishop England Dance Team Summer Camp

July 5-8 the dance team will offer a morning camp 9:00 a.m. to noon and an afternoon camp 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. They will teach a routine and do other activities, but the program will be different in the morning vs the afternoon, so if any kids want to stay all day, they can do the morning session, bring a lunch and hang out with the dancers from noon to 1:00, then have a totally different “curriculum” in the afternoon. Cost for the camp is $75 for half day, $150 for full day, and will take place in the BE gym, and is for rising K through 8th graders. Email Jenn at omjennyj@hotmail.com for more information.

“Parents Nights Out” at PLHH

April 15, April 29, and May 13 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., ages 5 to 12, includes dance, craft, and snack Contact Jenn at omjennyj@hotmail.com to register.