girl signing

Published February 2021

Calli Mawdsley, and the rest of the AHS Diamond Dancers, perform at halftime of a basketball game.

Written by: Dionna VanGorkom

The AHS dance team is hoping to lure in spring with their annual Spring Show on February 26th. This show will be held in the gym at 6:00 and anyone is welcomed to attend. Masks are required for the show, and the admission fee is five dollars. Throughout the show, the dance team will perform their second place State pom routine, basketball routines, State solos, and also a couple of fun routines including friends and co-ed partners.

The dance team will also be hosting Dance Connection by Michelle and Janet’s School of Baton at the Spring Show, allowing the audience to see some ways outside of school to be involved with dancing. 

The dance team is losing two seniors this year, Jasmyne Harrison and Dionna VanGorkom, so make sure to come out and see the team’s last hoorah of the season!

Before the dance season comes to an end, three dancers from AHS have been chosen to be on the All Iowa Honor Dance Team. Dancers Jasmyne Harrison, Dionna VanGorkom, and Calli Mawdsley all got the opportunity to travel to Des Moines on Monday, February 22nd, to learn, perfect, and perform a four minute routine. These girls auditioned for the team in August, sending in videos. Out of 500 girls in the state of Iowa, these three were chosen to dance alongside a group of 238. Normally the girls would travel to Des Moines for a two day preparation and then perform at halftime of the girls’ State Basketball Tournament. This year though, due to COVID, everything is a one day process and the performance will be recorded and aired at halftime instead of performed live. The performance will air during the 4A girls’ championship game on Saturday, March 6th. Jasmyne Harrison states, “My arms hurt for a while after Monday, but it showed that I worked hard, and I encourage dancers to try out next year!”

Even though it looks different from last year, it is an honor to make the team nonetheless and a great overall experience. Congratulations girls!

Be sure to come and check out these All Iowa Honor Dance Team girls and the rest of the AHS squad at their Spring Show.