BY CIARA ALVES QUINTELA
The dance team finished the season strong, striving for victory. In their best showing of the competition season, they secured 3rd place in jazz and 5th in hip-hop at a competition on Sunday, January 12.
The team faced early challenges, pushing themselves to perfect their skills and routines for their first competition on Sunday, January 5. “The dance team as a whole works hard to put their best foot forward, cleaning the routines and supporting each other,” explained Amalia Schianodicola. “We also had extra practice on Friday before the competition, wearing our costumes to ensure everything looked good.”
After placing 8th in their first competition, they stepped up in their next competition. “We clarified parts of the dance that were critiqued at competition,” said Alyssa Grillo. “When we applied the corrections, we placed 3rd in jazz and 5th in hip-hop at the next competition.”
While the team drove to succeed, their main goal focused on enjoying the experience together. “My biggest expectation for this season is to have as much fun as possible with my teammates because building a strong, supportive bond is what truly matters,” said Isabella Ianniello.
Performing at the Rutgers Showcase on January 10 allowed the team members to showcase their talent beyond competitions and experience dancing on a grand stage. “For me, the highlight of the season was performing at the Rutgers showcase. We got the opportunity to perform at the huge Jersey Mike’s Arena with many other local and talented high schools and colleges,” shared Taylor Bentley. “It gave us a glimpse of competing at the college level.”
To prepare for competitions, the team followed a rigorous practice routine. “In preparation, we drill our skills and slowly go through each section of the routine to perfect it. We have our own dress rehearsal where we run the routines as if we are performing and wear our costumes,” explained Schianodicola. These extra rehearsals helped the team feel confident on competition days, ensuring their routines stayed polished and performance ready.
Despite the challenges, the season rewarded an experience, and the team remained focused on both improvement and camaraderie. “What matters most is creating lasting memories with my teammates and enjoying every moment together,” said Ianniello. Through hard work, dedication, and shared experiences, the team built a season filled with growth, teamwork, and unforgettable moments.
Posted on 2/28/25
Photos by Elisa Qoku and Kaylee Weingarten
Knight Life 