KHS Dance Team National Champions in Hip Hop Competition

For the KHS dance program, it has been an exciting year. This is the second year for the dance team, but third year for the dance program.  The KHS Dance program started during COVID with three class sections but the school dance team was implemented the in the fall of 2021.

This year, the Kenwood High School dance team not only participated in nationals competition but placed first. The team competed at the AmeriDance National Dance Team Championships in Harrisburg, PA.  KHS won first place in the Varsity Hip Hop Division, winning them a national title.  The also won the “Sweet Surprise” award giving each dancer a credit towards defending their title next year.

For many of the KHS dance students, this was their first time at an event this big. Dancer, Latierra N., was very nervous prior to the competition. She had “never done a competition before” and “didn’t know what to expect”. Some of the girls described the event as a “surreal feeling”.

Kayla F. had a great experience. She found it “amazing to see all the different types of dancing the competition had to offer”. She also loved the sportsmanship shown by the competitors. She adds, “It felt so joyful and comfortable as every other dance team gave support and tips with high dignity and respect.”

Getting to a national dance competition is not the work of a single person, it takes a team effort. Many of the dancers see each other as a family. They work well together, encourage each other but are also able to hold each other accountable. Coach Ferrigno equally deserves credit for the success of the team. She makes sure the dancers stay on top of their practices and she’s the creator behind the excellent choreography.

The KHS Dance team is trying to go to the AmeriDance Internationals next year in Orlando which is tentatively scheduled for late March 2024.  The expense for this trip is approximately $1000 per dancer.  “We have some fundraisers set up for this spring and will be accepting corporate and individual sponsorships,” shares Dance teacher Ms. Ferrigno.

The dance team gave their last performance of the year last night, May 18 here at KHS. If you missed seeing this amazing team perform this year be sure to come out next year and check out this growing program!