March, 2025
By Nancy Perez, Assistant Editor
The Cardinal Dance Crew initiated their contest season on Saturday, February 22, at the Showtime International Dance Competition in San Marcos, Texas.
Consisting of 16 dancers, it is the first time in five years that Dance Crew competed in three dance categories in a single competition. This year Dance Crew competed in the Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Novelty categories.
Upon arrival, Dance Crew already demonstrated uniformity. Each member was linked arm-in-arm with a partner, with performance earrings on, red lipstick and hair securely placed into a low bun, as they entered San Marcos High School.
Once they were settled into their designated dressing areas, the team traveled to the gymnasium where the dance teams were presenting their routines to the judges. The judges table is distinguishable by its large black table cover amongst the set of seats/bleachers for audience members.
Dance Crew took their seat, and as dancers took the floor, Dance Crew demonstrated their sportsmanship through cheers and applause for the spectacular routines that took place.
The energy was present throughout the audience. Everyone’s view was fixated upon the performers as each one took the floor either as an individual (solo) or as a group (duet, trio, or group routine) in captivating costumes.
A particular performance that stood out was a female duet routine. The two performers had matching pink, long-sleeve, sparkly leotards dancing to “Rich Girl” by Gwen Stefani. Through their unique song choice, technique, and choreography, they gave an impressive and engaging routine.
After the team observed a few performances, and ensured to have studied the gym floor markings to coordinate their positions for their own routines, they returned to their dressing area to prepare for their first routine: a Michael Jackson inspired routine under the novelty dance category.
The novelty dance category incorporates a theme for a dance routine which includes characterization to convey a story or idea.
Dance Crew has created an original novelty piece inspired by Michael Jackson, dancing to a mix of his most famous hits: “Beat it”, “Bad”, “Smooth Criminal” and “Remember the Time”, all while dressed in an inspired Michael Jackson performance outfit, and of course the iconic black fedora hat.
Captain Fiorella Mora’s explained, “We make our own choreography. We split up between grade levels and each one can choose a song to do, usually seniors take first pick, and so they’re all original choreographies. “
Once dressed and ready for their novelty routine, Dance Crew traveled to the SMHS’ dance studio to have a practice run, before entering the contest floor.
Nerves began to arise as the team prepared to showcase all their hard work in front of the judges, nonetheless the dancers all shared smiles, words of encouragement, and laughter (cracking a few jokes) amongst each other backstage before their performance.
Manager Jasmin Del Rio, a current Junior, along with Coaches Salazar and Vallejo traveled to the gymnasium, to observe the team’s performance, as the team waited to be announced.
As Dance Crew made their way onto the floor, there were loud cheers and shouts of awe from the audience, as they anticipated the routine to start.
The music began, and Dance Crew began to move as one.
After the routine concluded, the dancers rushed back to their dressing rooms to take a breather, review their performance video, and change to be prepared for their next routine: Jazz.
Senior Anali Garcia was asked how she felt the team did after their first performance, she responded, “We gave it our all”.
The team’s following routine was Jazz, in which they danced to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics, and incorporated in the music, was a remix of the same song.
Captain Fiorella Mora crafted each routine’s music, piecing together songs to craft a perfect music piece for each dance. Along with this requisition of her role, during an interview, Dance Crew Instructor, Ms. Vallejo, describes a trait that stands out to her about Dance Captain Fiorella stating, “Her desire to want to support, not just coaches, and the team manager, but also her teammates. So she really wants to be that pillar, and she is that pillar for the team.”
Presented below is a picture of the dancers in their dazzling Jazz costume taken by Yearbook Club Photographer, Genesis Robles:
The team concluded their Jazz routine, and rushed to prepare for their final performance: hip-hop.
The girls helped each other braid one another’s hair as they needed to wear half-braided pigtails, in accompaniment to their white jersey and black joggers for their hip-hop routine.
After the team was fully ready for their last performance, they traveled to the practice studio and waited upon their turn. During their wait, two friendly Travis High School dancers delivered bracelets to the team, sharing how they wanted to show their appreciation towards other dancers who had demonstrated kindness through compliments and words of encouragement, giving a special thank you to Senior Doris Mena for making them smile.
It was 6:50pm, and Dance Crew was ready to close out their night by bringing the heat in their hip hop routine. This they did. After completion of all their routines and leaving their spaces better than they found them, the team traveled to the awards ceremony.
At the end of the night, the team took home a sweepstakes and judges award: given to teams who receive Division 1 ratings (90 or above) in each routine, Best in category novelty, and Best in category hip hop awards.
Ms. Vallejo shares what she most enjoys about working with the dance team, “It’s the thrill of finding new ways to create. It’s the passion from individuals and it’s their desire to want to learn more and to become better, that excites me about working with dance crew.”
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