21st Annual CHS Dance Camp is huge success

105 participants enjoy camp experience and game-day performance

By Jim Beers

 

Dance Team members included:

Seniors

Josalynn Anaya

Amanda Kennon

Kaylie Springston

Grace Welborn

Juniors

Mirra Krieg

Tia Martinez

Emma Murphy

Whitney Sulser

Summer Valleroy

Paige Hamilton

Sophomores

Hayden Cartwright

Annah Helvey-Ahring

Southern LaChance

Freshmen

Ashley Govero

Peyton Parker

Katie Werner

Dance Team Coaches

 Adrianne Kern, Head Coach

 Bailey Misuraca, Assistant

 Emily Eggemeyer, Assistant

The camp started Tuesday September 5 and ran Wednesday September 6 and Thursday September 7. On Friday September 8 campers had an opportunity to showcase their newly-learned skills at pre-game of the CHS vs Freeburg football game.

Group 1 Pre-K performs at the pre game September 8 when CHS hosted Freeburg. Jim Beers Photo

During camp sessions, the dancers learned the routines that they would perform at Friday night’s game. They also played games, ate snacks and on Wednesday September 6 the CHS Dance Team performed a routine that they learned this season. That evening was special for the campers.

Group 2 Kindergarten-1st Grade perform at the pre-game of the CHS vs Freeburg football game Friday September 8. Jim Beers Photo

In addition to the dance instruction, games, snacks and CHS Dance Team performance, each camper was awarded an Official 2023 Dance Camp T-shirt that they wore at their Friday night final performance.

Group 3 dancers grades 2nd and 3rd perform at the 2023 CHS Dance Camp. The event was held at pre-game of the CHS vs Freeburg game September 8. Jim Beers Photo

Dancers were assigned one of four groups throughout the week determined by age. Group 1 was Pre-Kindergarten; Group 2 was Kindergarten through 1st Grade; Group 3 was 2nd and 3rd Grades; and Group 4 was 4th through 6th Grades.

Group 3 dancers grades 2nd and 3rd perform at the 2023 CHS Dance Camp. The event was held at pre-game of the CHS vs Freeburg game September 8. Jim Beers Photo

On the night of the final performance Friday September 8 the participants started arriving at 5:30 p.m. at Juergens Gymnasium at Chester High School. By 6:00 p.m. most dancers had arrived and CHS Dance Team members organized them into their respective groups.

At 6:15 p.m. a group picture was taken, then the entire group was escorted to W.O. Smith Field at 6:25 p.m.  Once at the CHS football field the parent volunteers and CHS Dance Team members got the campers arranged in their proper places on the sideline of W.O. Smith Field. The performance began at precisely 6:35 p.m.

Each group performed its routine in order Group1 to Group 4. The crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy each performance as evidenced by rousing applause and cheering at the conclusion of each segment.

Head Coach Adrianne Kern said, “The CHS Dance Team would like to thank all of the parents, the camper-dancers, Chester Grade School, St. John’s Lutheran School, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and everyone else who helped make the camp such a huge success!”