On Saturday March 29th, our Winona State Dance Team ended their 2024-2025 season with their banquet. An afternoon of many mixed emotions was the perfect way to wrap up their successful season. The dancers celebrated by hosting a potluck for themselves and their supportive families.
Although the end of the year banquet was a first for many of the first-year Warrior dancers, this afternoon meant the closing of their dancing career for many graduating students and those unable to return next season.
Along with celebrating their departing elders, the Warriors also celebrated their biggest accomplishments and the challenges they overcame this past season. From the countless football, basketball, and volleyball games that were danced out, one specific accomplishment stands out from the rest. Winona State had won first place at the DX competition with their student-choregraphed jazz routine to the song Florence and the Machine’s Cosmic Love.
“This dance was super special to all of us, and we were just so happy and united while dancing it for the last time,” Afton Heidmann, a second-year dancer explained. “Winning first place with it was the best experience that we worked so hard for and left it all out on the dance floor.”
Their winning dance competition, featuring the jazz routine choreographed by Avery Benda, Sammie Mayo and Kelsey Anderson, was quite an accomplishment; however, it doesn’t compare to the countless memories the dancers created during their many hours of practice, working out, and other competitions. Every shared laugh and memory played a key role in strengthening the team’s dynamic and love for one another.
“This year’s team was a really strong group, and we became very close inside and outside of dance which helped us… accomplish everything this season,” second year Mandy Hess stated. “I am very proud of this year’s team, and I love them like family.”
After a week of rest and relaxation, the Warrior Dance Team has already begun preparations for the 2025-26 season. They also held dance tryouts on Saturday, April 5th and Sunday, April 6th. The Dance Team has tryouts prior to the next school year because they spend time practicing, preparing, and fundraising during the summer.
The tryouts are composed of a two-day process, one set aside for learning material and the second for performing. During the first day of the weekend, aspiring Warrior dancers learn three combos of the three styles used throughout the upcoming season. On the following day, the dancers then perform the newly learned dances along with a demonstration of various skills.
The captain of the 2025-26 season, Hess, explained what she keeps an eye out for during this weekend.
“We keep an eye out for people who can execute the choreography well and are able to complete the list of skills along with dancers’ attitude and personality.”
After a long weekend of dancing, the 2025-26 season is looking to be one for the books.
Hess certainly believes so; “I’m excited for next year’s team,” she said. “I think we have a lot of strong dancers and good personalities, and it will be exciting to see everyone dance all together.”
From the end of the season to the beginning of a new one, our Warrior Dance team is constantly putting in constant hard work, time, and dedication for the sport they love.
