Sterling High School’s 2026-2027 dance team tryouts were held on Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8. 

  The dancers started by stretching as a group and then began learning a dance combination to the song “#thatPOWER” by Will.i.am. Dance team coach Kennedy Anderson choreographed this dance combination and the dancers practiced the dance a number of times before leaving to practice on their own at home for the evening.

  On the second day, the girls stretched as a group once again. Then, they learned sideline number three, which was new to only the incoming freshmen and new dancers. After that, they ran through the dance combination a couple of times. Lastly, they broke up into groups and received their numbers for tryouts. The tryouts were held in the Sterling High School cafeteria.

  The attire for the tryouts included: black shorts/leggings, black tank top/tighter fitting shirt, jazz shoes, hair pulled back in a ponytail/bun, and no jewelry. Some skills that were required included: a double pirouette, grand jete, and front and side battement. 

  The dance team is welcoming four seniors for the year. 

  Incoming senior Jaz’Mya Castaneda stated, “I’m excited for senior year and to make more memories with the team!”  

  The S.H.S. dance team will include incoming freshmen Victoria Sproul, Ella Springman, and Bella Gaffey; incoming sophomores Adalynne Molina and Macy Campos; incoming juniors Saidey Malmberg, Ella Strader, Madilyn Dravis, Sammie Potthoff, Ronni Oyen, Annabelle Bolosan, Ella Atilano, Emma Fortune; and incoming seniors Madelyn Oyen, Sophie Potthoff, Jaz’Mya Castaneda, and Megan Stutzke. 

  Anderson is excited for her second season as the dance team coach. She stated, “I am getting super excited for the upcoming season! This summer will be all about strengthening our skills and working on what we can do better than last year!”  

  Although it was her first year coaching a high school dance team this school year, Anderson has been a great coach to the dancers and the team really appreciated her taking on the team and has learned so much from her.