Chelsea’s Starlets place fifth at national competition

Recently, Chelsea Middle School’s Starlets Dance Team competed in three state competitions and traveled to a national competition in Orlando to showcase its skills against top-ranked competitors. The team returned to school with several awards to decorate Chelsea’s growing trophy case.

Hosting school Hoover High initiated the Starlets’ success at the Alabama State Dance Team Competition in January when the Starlets finished second place in Jazz and Kick.

On Jan. 19, the team traveled to Auburn University for the Official American All Star competition. The Starlets swept the competition winning first place in Kick and Jazz. Strong performances throughout the competition earned the Starlets other awards including a choreography award for their jazz routine and the Junior High Sweepstakes award for the highest total scores of all competing junior high teams.

In addition, all three Starlets’ soloists placed in the individual competition: Hannah Dawson, first place; Lauren Mims, second place; and MacKenzie Day, third place.

State competitions culminated on Jan. 26 at the Alabama Dance Championship hosted by Spain Park High School. This competition challenged the girls, but the Starlets still shined even after a threatening injury to a fellow teammate. Chelsea’s Starlets placed third in Kick and Jazz. Two soloists finished in the top five; Lauren Mims placed second and Hannah Dawson fourth. The state competition season fueled the Starlets with confidence and determination, which carried the team to the National Dance Team Championship in Orlando Feb. 2-3. After grueling practices and stellar performances, the Starlets finished their season fifth in the nation in Kick and only 1.5 points from making Jazz finals.

Although the Starlets and Coach Michelle Nivens enjoyed a successful season, they hated to see it end. However, with tryouts right around the corner in April, the team will be back together in no time.