Even though COVID-19 has canceled many of the plans and activities for teams at Notre Dame Academy, the Notre Dame Dance Team is not one of them. 

“I’m super excited this year!”  said Lilly Kaye, a senior on the dance team. “I think even with all the questions about the competition season and the sports we usually perform at it’s still so much fun to just practice with the team.”

For the seniors, like Kaye, this will be unlike past years. These seniors spend four years on the team, building friendships, learning routines, and dedicating time and effort to dance. COVID-19 has changed many of what the seniors thought their last year of dance would be like.

“It is definitely different than what I thought my last year of dance would be.  I have a lot of hope for the season, but it is definitely disheartening when I think about all the things I will be missing from a normal season,” said senior Anna Zimmermann.

Zimmermann and Kaye agreed on one of the many things that will make this year difficult for the team, and which they will miss the most. The fans. 

“We always feed off the energy of the crowd when performing, so it will be hard to create our own,” said Kaye.

Both said that the fans help keep them “energized and motivated” when performing. They are hopeful there will be spectators present to cheer them on.

The Dance Team will continue practice like normal but at the same time following the COVID guidelines. They have competitions still scheduled and will still participate in the regional competition. The team is not only hopeful that they will participate in these competitions but also return to perform in sporting events, like football, one day. 

Members of the team  include Brooke Tuszka, Grace Nimmer, Alora Schneider and Katie Zasuly.

Seniors this year are Anna Kyles, Zimmermann and Kaye.

The Dance Team will hold in-person tryouts Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Thursday, Sept. 17, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Alumni Gym.