Monday, November 3, 2008 9:18 PM CST
MHS hosts dance competition
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — A state competition came to Mattoon High School on Saturday where no referees were required and no boo-birds were allowed in the gym.
The Showcase of Stars 2008 competition was hosted by the Illinois Drill Team Association and Mattoon High School, which offered drill team members from across the state the chance to compete in individual or small-group contests. Courtney St. John, an MHS sophomore, placed third in the solo flag competition, while the trio dance performance team of Whitney Miller, Dezaray Baker and Brittaney St. John placed sixth in state.
Miller, an MHS junior, said the competition is a chance to learn more as well as be entertained.
“You’re seeing all the different types of dances here,” said Miller, who placed ninth with her duet partner, Brittaney St. John, an MHS senior. The MHS duet team of Stefani Atkinson and Maggie Price placed 12th in state Saturday.
“You’re seeing hip hop and some Broadway tunes with moves from Bob Fossi productions. Then there is the lyrical performances or what they call contemporary,” said Melia Turner, who has coached the MHS dance team for 12 years.
Paige Schober of Downers Grove North demonstrated how dance moves can mix athleticism as she offered energetic turns and twists to a cover of a Stevie Wonder song. Then Rachel Brewer of Clinton came out on the floor in a tank top and camouflage shorts before gyrating to a hip hop song that left many of the other performers swaying to the beat.
But getting out there and winning over the judges and crowd requires more than a few sharp moves and the right song selection.
“A lot of people say it’s just art but it’s not,” said Jessica Charlton, a sophomore competitor from Peotone High School. “You want to give it your all out there. If you have nothing left then you push it harder.”
“It is a lot harder than people think it is,” said Hayley Welz, a Highland High School sophomore, who has performed in dance for most of her life.
The lyrical performances must draw on emotion and athleticism, Turner said. The state competition Saturday was a chance for girls to shine in solo performances or as duos or trios on the gymnasium floor. There were also flag corps competitors.
“This is really a 50-50 balance between art and athletics. The girls want to be able to convey their emotion out there,” Turner explained.
There are many times the girls leave the floor with tears welling in their eyes. It shows how they put so much into two minutes before the judges.
Turner said emotion comes natural when you see a routine come to life after many hours of practice.
“Consider Dezaray Baker. I know I watched her work on that dance for 30 hours. I am very proud of that young lady and all of my girls.
“This is an all-year sport. My girls are here at 7:30 each morning. They are running. They are doing cardio. They do weight training. They wear 5-pound weights on their ankles and wrists. They put so much into this so it is great to see them go out there,” said Turner.
She believes the word is catching on about the Wavettes. For some schools, the rush for popcorn at halftime takes precedence. But in Mattoon, Turner sees a difference.
“Here in Mattoon we have a loyal fan base. And they squeeze in their popcorn after the team performs at halftime,” she said.
Ask the different competitors what they have on their iPods and there is no consensus: Jonas Brothers, Dave Matthews Band, Kelly Clarkson, Disturbia and Carrie Underwood were on the top of the list for some of the competitors interviewed.
But they do agree on respecting the competition. There are no mind games or scowls at the dance competitions.
“We normally cheer for the teams,” said Sarah Cowger, a Mattoon Middle School eighth grader who competed in the junior high or middle school division Saturday.
“This teaches you about responsibility,” said Mallory Take, a Collinsville High School sophomore. That responsibility is demonstrated through the practice regimen, staying on top of technique and passing on your skills as a junior or senior to other team members, she explained.
Turner said only a fraction of the competitors might make dancing a profession. But the experience will help them shine in life.
“I have coached girls who have careers in public speaking or they became music majors in college. And I have girls who now have their daughters in our mini-camps. This builds lifelong friendships,” Turner said.
Best of all, she is winning over the fathers of Wavettes more than ever before. Not only are they showing pride in their daughters’ commitment to dance, but some dads are picking up on technique points, Turner said. Apparently, the popularity of “Dancing with the Stars”and other dance-based shows is widespread.
“I start to chuckle when the dad says after a competition, ‘I noticed that on the turn sequence ... .’ But I have noticed some of the dads are snazzy dancers when we get the parents together.”
And they’ve even learned to cheer — not boo — the competition, too.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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