Dance teams from across Killeen ISD middle schools and high schools combined in a pre-competition showoff featuring an impressive array of high-kick, hard-driving, dramatic movement that fired up an appreciative crowd of supporters.
The middle school dance teams revived what used to be an annual showcase a year ago and the event Wednesday at Liberty Hill Middle School was even larger and more varied, according to district fine arts directors.
The showcase took on the format of a typical dance competition with teams performing one after the other on the gym floor in front of an audience of supporters and a panel of judges, which were KISD high school dance team directors.
The showcase was not a competition, and every team received a participation trophy as well as written critiques and a lot of loud, enthusiastic support on their way to the competition season.
After the middle school ensembles finished the main portion of the program, the officer corps from the Shoemaker Silver Stars, Chaparral TopCats, Harker Heights Crimson Belles and Ellison Emeralds performed to the excitement of the younger dance team members.
“This is special for us because we get to support all the middle schools before we go into our big competition season,” said Union Grove Golden Belles director Kristin Wilkerson.
“Most of us are practicing extra gearing up for the opportunity to compete against other teams outside the district.”
“This is like a dry run for us where the high school directors give us some feedback, and we also get to cheer on all the other middle schools. It builds camaraderie among the middle schools and allows the high school directors to look at our students as many of them will try out for their teams,” she said.
“It’s rare with our schedules for middle school and high school directors to be in the same space at the same time.”
The 26 separate dances included officer, hip hop, prop, jazz, pom, lyrical and novelty entries.
Participating dance teams included the Union Grove Golden Belles, Audie Murphy Falconettes, Nolan Blue Diamonds, Manor Flames, Palo Alto Sparklers, Jimmie Don Aycock Royalettes, Live Oak Ridge Diamonds, Rancier Ruby Roos, Liberty Hill Lionettes and Patterson Sapphires.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720331845905