Jazzy Cats earn top honors at dance festival

By Andy Brown
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Updated: November 17, 2016

Submitted Photo

Members of the Louisburg High School Jazzy Cats are (front row, from left) Avery Graham, Lauren Cain, Kira Payton, Bree Christy, Quincy Rice; (back row) Brooklyn Mitchell, Melia Rice, Katie JoRay, Teagan Myers and Shae Murphy.

Most teams will choose to only take one or two routines to a competition, but the Louisburg High School Jazzy Cats dance team decided to take it a step further.

For the Eudora Dance and Cheer Festival, that was held at Eudora High School on Nov. 5, the Jazzy Cats put together three routines. As it turned out, the Louisburg dancers handled the extra work load just fine.

The Jazzy Cats earned a “1” rating for each of their three routines and garnered another honor in the process. They also received a specialty technique award for their hip-hop performance.

“There were several strong dance teams at the competition, but most other teams took one or two routines,” Jazzy Cats coach Kassy Miller said. “We decided to take three to this competition because we knew we could be ready and do a great job. It is difficult to have three routines strong all at the same time, especially in distinct styles, but the way we have set our team goals this year has allowed us to work on those multiple styles. Even though we might be stronger in some styles than others, practicing multiple styles can enhance the overall abilities of the team.

Dancers Brooklyn Mitchell, Melia Rice, Katie JoRay, Teagan Myers, Shae Murphy, Lauren Cain, Kira Payton, Bree Christy, Quincy Rice and Avery Graham performed well the entire day as they earned top honors in their pom, kick and hip-hop routine.

The hip-hop routine was a crowd favorite and resulted in the technique award, Miller said.

“Hip-hop is a very difficult style to pull together and perform, but the type of focus and concentration they put into this routine really paid off,” she said. “I think they had the most fun working on that one, and it was great that the judges recognized that. They can’t wait to perform it at assemblies and basketball games next semester.”

All the Jazzy Cats’ success hasn’t happened overnight as the dancers have worked with Miller since last summer and continue to try and perfect their craft.

“I am very proud of them and they should be proud of each other,” Miller said. “This team has shown that they really understand how to use teamwork and hard work to their advantage. I feel like they have really set good examples for each other and that is what I am really proud of.