This winter, dance director Kimberly Kelsey will be taking her team to three dance competitions: American regionals Feb. 10, Danceline state Feb. 23, and Nationals March 24 to receive valuable feedback on their technique and routines, and keep up with the trends of the dance world.

  The Stingerettes go through many different types of technique improvements, workouts, and stamina building to prepare themselves for competitions. To prepare themselves technique wise, they look at score sheets, old competition videos, and watch other teams videos.

  “The captains accomplish a lot of work too,” Kelsey said. “They do what they can to make the team look their best.”

  The main categories the team performs in are kick, military, pom, novelty, production, and contemporary style. A lot of thought and planning goes in to make sure each routine is perfect for the team that year. Captains Rebecca Tuggle, Kassidy Cowles, Bailey Sanderford, Mason Warren, and Tara Garza help give their creative input for each dance performed and what would be the best styles or themes for the team that year.

  “Sometimes I’m just inspired by a topic or a song,” Kelsey said. “Sometimes the costume is what is picked first and the ideas are decided to compliment it.”

  The Stings stick to more of a traditional style of dance known as drill team style, due to being a large team at an intermediate level. They set a high standard for themselves and for other teams at competition for being polite and respectful towards others. Kelsey describes her team as very entertaining, known for their fun themes and showmanship qualities.

  “I’m really proud of that,” Kelsey said. “And at the end of the day we are all just goofy and have a lot of fun with what we do.”

  To show off their skills, Kelsey takes her dance team to all-day competitions. Since this is the only high school in Stephenville, they don’t have anyone to compare themselves to, other than the people they compete against. Competing like they do really makes a name for the school, and it gives the team abilities to do what they love.

  “It’s really eye opening for the team,” Kelsey said. “They get to see what other schools do and it usually inspires them and shapes a lot of their creative decisions.”

  In Kelsey’s eight year coaching career, the team has won six State Grand Champion titles. Her first year, The Stingerettes didn’t compete at a state competition but they received the title of Regional Grand Champions. At every competition, the Stings take home many awards, ranging from 25-30 awards if you count all the solo entries and other awards like showmanship, presentation and many other things.

  “We pretty much have been successful defending our Grand Champion title every year,” Kelsey said. “That’s been exciting.”

  This year the Stings will be extending their competition season to nationals. Kelsey will be taking her team to Seaworld at San Antonio on the weekend of March 24th, and this will be their first time getting to compete at a national level.

  “We are really excited,” Kelsey said. “So come out and support us if you can.”