Panther Pride officers Lt. Emily Zheng, Lt. Kenady Hathorn, Lt. Emily Awtrey, Lt. Ashley Hernandez Rojo and Capt. Macy McManus perform their contemporary dance to “Can’t Go On Without You” during the Crowd Pleasers Dance Competition on Saturday in Clear Lake. (Photo by CRISTA HERNANDEZ/Lufkin High School Panther Growls)
By CRISTA HERNANDEZ/Lufkin High School Panther Growls
The Panther Pride drill team competed in the Crowd Pleasers Dance Competition in Clear Lake on Saturday, earning “High Platinum” marks in several of the ensemble and solo categories.
Panther Pride member Caroline Hicks performs her solo routine to “Without Fear” during the Crowd Pleasers Dance Competition on Saturday in Clear Lake. (Photo by CRISTA HERNANDEZ/Lufkin High School Panther Growls)
Panther Pride member Bailey Clifton performs her solo routine to “Rain Coat” during the Crowd Pleasers Dance Competition on Saturday in Clear Lake. (Photo by CRISTA HERNANDEZ/Lufkin High School Panther Growls)
Members of the Panther Pride have been preparing for the event all winter, with early practices from 7:30 to 9 a.m. along with two-hour practices after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They had to make a big adjustment to their formations two days before the competition when one of the members got sick.
Capt. Macy McManus competed in three officer routines and two solos on top of the team performances. She said the pressure of the competition “only pushes me to be better” and that the drill team “has put in the work necessary to make the routines great.”
Team member Raeonna Card said she was “super excited to compete with the team and watch other dances, but (I) was also absolutely terrified to go against such amazing teams.” She said she admired the choreography, style and unique dances of other teams.
Among the Panther Pride’s performances, a team favorite was “Venus,” a team routine choreographed by Macy.
“It is so different and fun!” Lt. Emily Zheng said. From the audience’s perspective, she said, “everything meshes together really well.”
The Panther Pride, which competed in the Select XL division, earned High Platinum scores in Pom for outstanding choreography and technique, Platinum in Jazz for outstanding choreography, and High Platinum in Hip Hop for outstanding choreography, execution and performance. The team also took home an award for outstanding academic achievement, and the officers earned fifth runner-up for officer awards, High Platinum in Contemporary and Lyrical for outstanding choreography, and Platinum in Jazz for outstanding choreography and performance quality.
“I’m very proud of this team for their hard work and dedication, and that we have a talented team that always goes above and beyond,” Panther Pride Director Johnna Conrad said.
Panther Growls club member Daisy Moran contributed to this story.