Clad in all black outfits, red shoes and flannel shirts tied around their waists, the Aragon Dance Team is an important contributor to Aragon spirit. Consisting of 14 members, the team performs at all Aragon football games and some rallies. This year, the team also has the opportunity to perform at its first competition, hosted by cheer and dance organization Jamz. However, most are not aware of the hard work that must happen before they can step out on the field.
Many members have been dancing since they were young. “I liked to dance and started dancing in middle school,” says senior Wesley Lee. “Trying out in high school was the logical step to undertake. Getting to learn other people’s style and combining it with my own made me a better dancer.”
Sophomore Judy Entoma has a similar story. “I have been dancing since I was three years old and it’s my dedication to what I like doing the most that makes it so fun,” she says.
Dance team co-captain senior Mariella Hernandez explains that the team has grown and developed over time. “The dance team has been around for a really long time and was formed like any other sport or club,” she says.
Julise Hall, also a co-captain, adds, “The dance team is here to express ourselves and to have fun. We work together to entertain people, and it is a really rewarding experience.”
For performances, the music is picked and agreed upon by all members of the team, and while their dances tend to revolve around a hip-hop style, they want to try different types of dances in the future. “The dances have been a bit more girly—it always [has] been hip-hop with a girly side; but we can adapt to anything,” says Hernandez.
An important aspect of the dance team is its contribution to Aragon’s spirit. “We get everyone pumped up because everyone knows the music,” says junior Christopher Griffins.
With this obligation in mind, the team works hard to create its routines. “We try our best to do a good job and perform well. Everyone is proud to dance and represent Aragon,” Hall adds.
Lee enjoys performing with the other members of the team. “Dancing together brings us all together. We all like to dance and sharing it with everyone is what makes it so great,” he says.
In light of the intensity of academics, the team uses dancing as an outlet for relaxation. Hall says, “[Dancing] is a really fun and laidback activity, so it doesn’t really feel like a requirement for something. You join it because you want to—it’s not something you feel like you have to do. You join it to have fun, and you do what you like to do: dancing.”
