Central Junior High's dance team experiences competitive success

A group of determined girls at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School have sashayed themselves into competitive success and new friendships as members of the school's dance team.

Over the summer, the 13-member team attended a Universal Dance Association camp held at Southeast Missouri State University. They left with 30 first-place ribbons, seven second-place ribbons, first-place honors in their division, a trophy for high scores, an invitation to compete at a national competition in Florida, and the naming of two members, Mariah Taylor and Ta'Liyah Thompson, to the association's All-American Team.

This is the second year the group has been an official team at the junior high, said coach Michal Whitehorn, who also teaches special education at the school. Her assistant coach is Leslie Pourney, a seventh-grade communication arts teacher.

Whitehorn said the original club formed to help girls build their confidence and become more of a part of the school spirit community.

While the team members are excited about their recent successes, they say they feel like the team has done several things for them.

"I need something to do to get out energy at school,"said Taylor, the team's captain.

"I danced when I was little, and it was my chance to come back," said member Elizabeth Orr.

Megan Sheely said she is working on her balance.

All of them say they have made new friends with other team members.

The team will compete at two events this fall and winter. They are planning several fundraisers in the next month, including a carwash Saturday at O'Reilly Auto Parts and an all-you-can-eat breakfast at Beef O'Bradys in Cape Girardeau on Oct. 1 so they can buy new uniform tops and help any members who need assistance with travel expenses to competitions.

eragan@semissourian.com

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