The Eagle Grove Golden Stars drill team celebrated its 30th Anniversary on Saturday in their annual Drill Team performance at the Eagle Grove Elementary school. And they did it riding high on an excellent performance at state, and a performance at the Reliaquest Bowl in Florida.
This year's team was made up of:
-
Freshman Madeline Alvarez, daughter of Jorge and Sara Alvarez, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshman Allyson Capsel, daughter of Angie and John Capsel, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshman Bella Delatorre, daughter of Amber Asche and Brandon Gump, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshmen Crystal Flores, daughter of Mariela Baez and Daniel Flores, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshmen Brenna Grandgeorge, daughter of Clark and Chelsea Grandgeorge and Afton and Logan Casady, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshman Hailey Menke, daughter of Andrew and Kyla Menke, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshman Kendra Schild, daughter of Josh and Jen Schild, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Freshman Kearsyn Thul, daughter of Miranda Thul, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Sophomore Jocelyn Gonzalez, daughter of Maria and Nelson Gosca, in her second year on the drill team.
-
Sophomore Gabriela Lobato, daughter of Juan Lobato and Veronica Torres-Arriaga, in her first year on the drill team.
-
Sophomore Gracie Sisson, daughter of Mackenzie and Sarah Sisson, in her second year on the drill team.
-
Sophomore Avery Wepel-Sisson, daughter of Lyndsey Wepel and Alex Sisson, in her second year on the drill team.
-
Junior Olivia Conaway, daughter of Jen and Dan Conaway, in her third year on the drill team.
-
Junior Jacklynn Demory, daughter of Kim and Dave Demory, in her third year on the drill team.
-
Junior Celeste Figueroa, daughter of Dina and Carlos Figueroa, in her second year on the drill team.
-
Junior Brooklyn Osborn, daughter of Stacy and Jeff Osborne, in her third year on the drill team.
-
Senior Suzi Kaiser, daughter of Martha and Fred Kaiser, in her second year on the drill team.
-
Senior Braxton Steil, daughter of Brian Steile and Tioni Loux, in her fourth year on the drill team.
As always, the performance featured several performances by the drill team, and several dance solos. And, in keeping with the tradition, some whimsical performances by friends and family members of the dancers as well.
The theme for the night was "golden" because "the Golden Stars have shined so bright this year." The performance started out with the team's Pom routine, danced to "Guardians of the Galaxy", which won First Place at State.
921 soloists from across Iowa competed at State this year. Eagle Grove was represented by Gracie Sisson, Avery Wepel-Sisson, Jaclynn Demory, Brooklyn Osborne, and Braxton Steil.
Jacklyn Demory was the first soloist to perform. She began dancing at the age of 4 and has been dancing now for 13 years, and has attended Melinda's in Humboldt, and CDTA in Humboldt and Clarion. Her performance was choreographed by former Golden Star Hannah Sampson, and former Coach Ann Sampson, and danced to the song "Brave".
And, of course, there were the clinic dancers from lower grades who had received some dance training from the Golden Stars at the Drill Team Clinic the day before. Last year set the record, with 129 dancers. This year was another large group of over 100 kids, ranging in age from preschool to 8th Grade. The first to perform where the preschoolers and kindergarteners, to "Hakuna Matata."
Next Gracie Sisson performed her solo to the song "Emergency". Gracie has been dancing since she was two years old, and has attended Hollingsworth, and Melindas. She has danced competitively since 5th grade. Her routine was choreographed by Steph Hood, and received a Division 2 rating at State.
Then it was time for the first and second graders to perform, to the song "Hair Up."
Next, Junior Brooklyn Osborne danced as a Golden Star soloist for the first time this year, competing at the State Solo contest and receiving a Division 2 rating. She had attended TDC and Melinda's. She performed her solo, which was choreographed by her cousin Alexis Nelson, to the song "a little party."
Then the third and fourth graders got their chance to shine, and danced to the song "Can't Stop This Feeling." Which was followed closely by some fun and functional comic relief, as coach Brandi Wesselink raced about the floor with the dustmop, to pick up the dirt and dust at the rough halfway mark.
Then the Golden Stars performed their Jazz routine, which received a Division 1 rating and took 6th place in the Class IV division.
Then young Kenlee Link, an aspiring Golden Star, performed a solo to the song "Wings". "We first saw her spunky and entertaining dance moves this summer at the fair talent show," Master Of Ceremonies Steven Lentz told the crowd. "We just had to have her energy out here tonight."
After which, the 5th and 6th grade drill clinic dancers performed to "Let's Get Loud".
Then the Golden Stars performed their Hip Hop routine, which earned a Division 1 at State and took 7th place in the Class IV Division.
Next up was another young aspiring Golden Star, Myka Anderson. "Myka is another performer tonight that we couldn't go without," Lentz announced. Myka had followed the Golden Stars for years, since her sister was on the team, and took to the floor to perform to the tune "Sax".
Avery Sisson then performed. Dancing since the age of 10, Avery has been dancing competitively for 3 years, and this was her second year performing at State, where she received a Division 2 rating. Her routine was choreographed by former Golden Star Alecia Anderson, to the song "Mama Knows Best."
Then the final group of young clinic dancers took to the floor, the seventh and eighth graders, who danced to the song "Boom Boom".
Following an announcement that the lights would be turned out for the light routine that typically ended the night, except earlier thanks to an upgrade to the lights system in the gymnasium, Lentz explained that the team would perform their Reliaquest Bowl halftime routine, but replacing the pool noodles and umbrellas with glow worms. The result was a brilliant, surreal light show of swirling colors that still photos barely do justice to.
Then came a surprise put together by coaches Erdman and Wesselink – the first ever performance of the "Dance Moms, Bonus Moms, Sisters, and Grandmas" – who put on an energetic dance that wowed the crowd, dressed in shiny pants and matching printed tees, produced by Red Head Tribe Logos, as were all the shirts, and banners.
Then the Golden Stars performed their Homecoming routine, learned at dance camp, to the song "Soul Banana". After which Myka Anderson returned to perform an encore of her County Fair solo, "Baby June."
Next, senior Braxton Steil performed her solo. Although she was a senior and a fourth year drill team member, this was her first year taking on a solo, which earned a Division 1 rating, and took 28th place at State. Her routine was choreographed by former coach Ann Sampson, and Hannah Sampson, and danced to "Love on the Brain".
Then came the last solo of the night, by senior Suzi Kaiser, danced to the song "Vienna." Kaiser dedicated her solo dance to her Father, Fred Kaiser, who couldn't fight the tears and was proud to admit it. "You should have seen me during the solo," he said, "I was bawling like a baby. I'm so proud of her! And so touched."
Following a poem read by former Coach Ann Sampson, in honor of the 30th year of the program which she led for so long, was the friends dance. Which was choreographed by Juniors Olivia Conoway, Jaclynn Demory, Celeste Figueroa, and Brooklyn Osborne.
Then came the boyfriend (or guy friend) and Dad dances. Jake Jeske, who is dating Osborn, said of dancing in the show "I had a blast! It was a really fun experience. Plus, the practices were like getting an extra prom dance with Brooklyn."
Finally came the emotional senior finale, when the team danced with their departing seniors Braxton Steil and Suzi Kaiser one last time. Each grade choreographed their own part of the dance as a way of showing respect and saying goodbye to the departing seniors, and the song was danced to the song "Where'd All the Time Go?"
For graduating senior Suzi Kaiser, dancing in her final Golden Stars show was "very emotional," she said, adding, "oh my gosh! Everything starts off happy and then the adrenaline starts literally rushing through your veins. Braxton and I ran to the bathroom and almost threw up. It's a bittersweet kind of moment."
For coaches Wesselink and Erdman, it was a very emotional moment as well, and both fought tears. "It was a very successful season," said Coach Brandi Wesselink, "we grew a lot individually, and as a team."
"As second year coaches, we couldn't be any happier to have seniors who were each leaders, and who embraced us with open arms," agreed Coach Megan Erdman, who cheekily gave a verbal love note to the departing seniors in her comments, through her tears. "We'll miss Suzi and Braxton and know they'll accomplish a lot. And we look forward to what is to come! XOXO, Coach Erdman."
