Nevada dance team makes strides of progress

By Floyd Jernigan

Nevada Daily Mail

There aren't many high school sports teams that take the field more than 25 times during a school year, or compete nearly year-round, for that matter.

But that's the challenge and the fun of competing for the Nevada High School Dance Team. Members perform at all home junior varsity and varsity football games, girls and boys' home basketball games, and school assemblies.

DeAnn Hardin, who is in her second year coaching the dance team, said this is a unique opportunity to blend a number of interests.

"Music has always been a big part of my life, dancing in high school, and in college," said Hardin. "I was so excited when I got the opportunity to coach the dance team, and we hit the ground running.

"It's been a learning experience, to say the least. Seeking knowledge from all those who would share it with me, seeing how other programs are run, watching tryouts, trying to get a feel for what seems to work.

"The girls are an outstanding group of young ladies. I have been blessed to work with them. It takes a lot of time and dedication on their part, and I think we've made tremendous gains.

Making up this year's squad are first-year participants Ally Shumaker, Amber Gray, Riley Gordon, Hunter Richmond, Charley Tesch, Maddie Gordon and Alivia Conner, along with second-year dancers Amy Shumaker, Carly Greer, Haley Lewis and Marli Coonrod.

Like most Nevada High School athletes, the team members are in other activities, as well. Eight out of 10 are members of the Nevada High School Show Choir.

That does pose a scheduling problem, as the two activities' seasons coincide. Given that difficulty, some coaches would prefer their team members to concentrate on just their sport.

"I feel it's really important to support the girls, and not make them choose one or the other," said Hardin. "They have definitely showed an interest in competing, it just hasn't worked out with the schedules."

Even so, the team still finds plenty of chances to perform with the varied activities over the course of the year, Hardin said.

"My goal for us, as a team, is to keep improving," she said. "We started our season last summer and will finish up at the end of February.

"This was our second time to perform at the fourth annual Carthage Dance Team Showcase."

A showcase is an event in which teams perform in front of other schools and a crowd of spectators, but are not scored.

"It was so much fun to see the other schools perform," Hardin said. "This year, there were seven schools there, performing up to three routines -- Carthage, Nevada, Neosho, Ozark, Willard, Webb City, Carl Junction.

"Last year, I took six girls. This year, I took 10.

"We did a great job. I'm really proud of them."

In summing up the season thus far, Coach Hardin noted, "We've made some great improvements. My only hope is to keep moving forward."

For Hardin and her team, it makes for an enjoyable time.

"I think, if you love what you do, it shows," she said.