90 young dancers take the field for final Dance Camp performance
BY JIM BEERS
Each fall the Chester High School Dance Team hosts a dance camp for youth dancers interested in learning their first fundamental skills or increasing their current dancing skills. This year’s camp took place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday September 1-3, 2026.
Members of the 2026 Chester High School Dance Team helped to provide instruction to the 90 campers who participated in the 2026 CHS Dance Camp, September 1-3. The theme of this year’s camp was, “Dancing in the USA.” The Dance Team taught choreography, provided support, and served as good role models for the campers throughout the week of camp. Dance Team members include Seniors Macy VanZandt, Aubrey Petrowske, and Katie Werner; Juniors Jaden Bert, Grace Irose, and Justice Mattingly; Sophomores Emma Bogard, Kaylee Lukhaupt, Peyton Moll, and Kennedy Nortin, and Freshmen Ella Bert, Mabrie Cushman, and Jaymie Dickerson. The Team is coached by Head Coach, Adrianne Kern and Assistant Coach Bailey Misuraca-Meyer. Jim Beers Photo
The camp is led by CHS Head Dance Coach, Adrianne Kern. She is assisted by her Assistant Dance Coach, Bailey Misuraca-Meyer. They were joined by all of the current CHS Dance Team members who go one-on-one with the campers to help teach skills, direct activities, and serve as role models for the youth dance camp participants.
Current 2026-2027 Chester High School Dance Team members include Seniors, Macy VanZant, Aubrey Petrowske, and Katie Werner; Juniors, Jaden Bert, Grace Irose, and Justice Mattingly; Sophomores, Emma Bogard, Kaylee Lukhaupt, Peyton Moll, and Kennedy Nortin; and Freshmen, Ella Bert, Mabrie Cushman, and Jaymie Dickerson.
Head Coach, Adrianne Kern said, “This Year’s camp brought together approximately 90 youth dancers ranging from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade. For three days, campers learned with instruction filled with dancing, learning, teamwork, and fun!”
Coach Kern continued, “The theme for the 2026 Dance Camp was, “Dancing in the USA”. The camp gave the young dancers the opportunity to celebrate American Spirit through music and movement. Throughout the three-day camp, dancers learned choreography from members of the CHS Dance Team while building and making new friends.”
Coaches and Dance Team members made the experience age-appropriate and engaged every dancer by dividing the group into smaller groups based upon grade level and experience. There were four different Teaching Groups including, Group 1: Pre-Kindergarten; Group 2: Kindergarten through 1st Grades; Group 3: 2nd through 3rd Grades; and Group 4: 4th through 8th Grades.
Group 1 Pre-Kindergarten Dancers open the show at the 2026 CHS dance Camp final performance Friday night September 11 at the CHS vs Sparta football game. Jim Beers Photo
The second group to perform at the Chester High School Dance Team Camp was Group 2, dancers in kindergarten and 1st Grade. Jim Beers Photo
Group 3 included dancers in 2nd and 3rd grades. The event was the 2026 CHS Dance Camp final performance at the pre-game of the Chester YellowJackets vs Sparta Bulldogs football game. Jim Beers Photo
The final performance of the 2026 CHS Dance Camp was Group 4 which included dancers that are in Grades 4 through 8th grades. The performance was a huge hit for a packed house at W.O. Smith Field in Chester. Approximately 90 dancers participated in the 2026 camp. Jim Beers Photo
Coach Kern said,” Each group worked with CHS Dance Team members and Coaches to learn dances designed specifically for the four age groups. The older dancers were challenged with more advanced choreography, while the younger dancers focused on basic dance movements, rhythm, coordination and having fun!”
This year’s camp was also offered to dancers from Sparta since the final camp performance was scheduled for the pre-game of the much anticipated Chester vs Sparta football game Friday September 11.
That same night, CHS recognized the annual awareness of the 9-1-1- attack on the World Trade Center. CHS further said farewell to Wyatt Ruehling, one of Chester High School’s teachers and Assistant Football Coaches. Mr. Ruehling is a Captain in the United States Air Force. He has been activated and deployed into active duty. Being able to witness the 9-1-1 tribute and the farewell to Captain Ruehling gave campers a close look at patriotism and gave them the opportunity to add the experience and the solemnness of the evening.
The campers took the field in front of a very large, almost sold-out crowd of Chester YellowJacket and Sparta Bulldog fans. Family, friends and sports fans thoroughly enjoyed the camper’s performances as they performed their newly-learned routines. Each group performed separately, in the spotlight, on center field.
“For many of the dancers, stepping onto the W.O. Smith Football Field at Chester High School in front of a crowd of people was a memorable experience. The performance gave the young dancers an opportunity to showcase their hard work while sharing the spotlight with the CHS Dance Team”, said Coach Adrianne Kern.
“The 2026 Youth Dance Camp also provided the CHS Dance Team the opportunity to serve as role models for the younger dancers. The Dance Team helped to teach choreography, encourage the youth campers, and to create a welcoming environment throughout the week.”
The CHS Dance Team and Coaches are thankful to all 90 campers and their families for being a part this year’s “Dancing in the USA” camp! Appreciation is further extended to both the Chester and Sparta communities for supporting the 2026 program and for helping to make it such a huge success!
Coach Kern said, “From the first dance step at camp until the final performance under the Friday night lights at CHS, the young dancers proved that there is plenty of Jacket spirit and dancing talent in the next generation. Until next year, keep dancing, keep smiling, and keep that Jacket spirit alive!”