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Dancers No. 1 in Arizona
Thelma Grimes
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Coaches and members of the Benson High School Dance Squad dedicated their award-wining performance at the 1A-2A Arizona State finals on Saturday to the memory of Dorothy Baugh.
Brea Blaschke, a junior on the team, said the only reason she has stayed on the dance squad over the last two years was for Baugh.
Baugh, the team's former coach, was killed in a car accident two years ago.
The Bobcat dancers won first place at state in the pom-pom category, said Coach Elisia DeMetroulis.
"We competed against eight other schools and the girls did really well," she said. "We were all really surprised that we finished first. The best we've done in the past is take second place."
Demetroulis said she knows the victory is in spirit of Baugh.
"Every time we prepare for competition we say a prayer and the girls ask Dorothy to help them. In a way I think Dorothy is what has brought these girls together. They push themselves even more and they always say it is for her."
Blaschke said the squad was not expecting a championship, noting that last season Safford won and that's what they expected this year.
"We dance to a mix of songs that each team member helped put together," she said. "There was a lot of good competition out there, and we just went out there and did a really good job and worked hard.
"When we realized we won it was really exciting. I think Dorothy would have loved it. I love dance and I just love to get out there and shake it and have fun."
The Bobcat dancers also took fourth place in the hip-hop part of the competition, which was held at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.
To prepare for the competition, Demetroulis said the ladies work year round and attend practice for up to three hours a day.
Demetroulis said the girls should also be commended as they also participate in other athletics at the same time.
This season besides practice, the ladies have also performed a variety of songs and dances in front of the halftime crowds during basketball and football seasons.
At several of the games, Linda Lamb, the school's journalism teacher, said she is impressed with how good the dance squad gets with each performance.
The state performance will end the Bobcats' 2006-07 season, however, Demetroulis said they usually begin practice each year in April. The girls spend the summer getting in shape and attending summer dance camps, she said.
Demetroulis said while dance is fun it does take a lot of dedication and work from the girls.
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Coaches and members of the Benson High School Dance Squad dedicated their award-wining performance at the 1A-2A Arizona State finals on Saturday to the memory of Dorothy Baugh.
Brea Blaschke, a junior on the team, said the only reason she has stayed on the dance squad over the last two years was for Baugh.
Baugh, the team's former coach, was killed in a car accident two years ago.
The Bobcat dancers won first place at state in the pom-pom category, said Coach Elisia DeMetroulis.
"We competed against eight other schools and the girls did really well," she said. "We were all really surprised that we finished first. The best we've done in the past is take second place."
Demetroulis said she knows the victory is in spirit of Baugh.
"Every time we prepare for competition we say a prayer and the girls ask Dorothy to help them. In a way I think Dorothy is what has brought these girls together. They push themselves even more and they always say it is for her."
Blaschke said the squad was not expecting a championship, noting that last season Safford won and that's what they expected this year.
"We dance to a mix of songs that each team member helped put together," she said. "There was a lot of good competition out there, and we just went out there and did a really good job and worked hard.
"When we realized we won it was really exciting. I think Dorothy would have loved it. I love dance and I just love to get out there and shake it and have fun."
The Bobcat dancers also took fourth place in the hip-hop part of the competition, which was held at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.
To prepare for the competition, Demetroulis said the ladies work year round and attend practice for up to three hours a day.
Demetroulis said the girls should also be commended as they also participate in other athletics at the same time.
This season besides practice, the ladies have also performed a variety of songs and dances in front of the halftime crowds during basketball and football seasons.
At several of the games, Linda Lamb, the school's journalism teacher, said she is impressed with how good the dance squad gets with each performance.
The state performance will end the Bobcats' 2006-07 season, however, Demetroulis said they usually begin practice each year in April. The girls spend the summer getting in shape and attending summer dance camps, she said.
Demetroulis said while dance is fun it does take a lot of dedication and work from the girls.
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