From Monday to Wednesday, two hours each day, hopeful dancers learned the audition routine for the Celebrities and Emeralds dance team. Six hours of practice leading up to the four hour audition day this Thursday. 

This year, 65 dancers auditioned. Out of those who auditioned, 36 made it on the Celebrities team and 14 on the Emeralds team. Dancers are critiqued on their performance, technique, skills and grades.

First year auditionee, freshman Emerald Charity Cox was able to earn a spot on the 2020-2021 Celebrities team. She said that throughout the four days of the process, her feelings varied. 

“My feelings definitely changed as each day came and went,” Cox said. “I was feeling excited on Monday, but on Thursday I was feeling a lot more nervous, [but] I was still feeling confident.”

Despite being on this year’s team, every Celebrity who wishes to return must audition again.

Junior Celebrity social officer Erica Shepherd auditioned again this year and made the team. Shepherd said that although she felt nervous this time around, she felt more at ease, as she was familiar with the process. 

“Last year when I tried out I was super nervous because I had never been on a high school varsity dance team,” Shepherd said. “I was under a lot of pressure and really wanted to make it. But this year, I was more relaxed because I had done it before and knew what the judges wanted to see.” 

Auditioning in front of judges surrounded by other dancers was no easy task. Sophomore Emerald Madison Cherry said the most difficult part about the process was maintaining confidence in herself. 

“I had moments where I would say to myself ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I look weird doing this certain part,” Cherry said. “But I just had to keep my confidence up and keep the positive mindset saying ‘I can do this.’”

When Cherry learned that the results were released and that she had made the team, she said that she was in disbelief. 

“I was so, so happy I was squealing with my stepmom in the car,” Cherry said. “I immediately called my boyfriend and my friends and just started freaking out with them. Telling my dad was my favorite part, he was so happy and proud of me.” 

Becoming a part of the Celebrities team has been an aspiration from a young age for freshman Emerald Brooke Johnson. 

“Ever since I was little I have dreamed of being on this team,” Johnson. “I remember watching them perform on the football field and telling my mom ‘that’s going to be me one day.’” 

Next semester, Cox, Cherry and Johnson will be Rising Stars. They will learn traditional Celebrities routines as well as improve their technique.  Johnson said she is looking forward to connecting with her fellow teammates as well as improving her skills. 

“Words cannot describe how pumped I am to grow as a dancer and create unforgettable bonds with the people who will dance with me for the next three years,” Johnson said. “It’s not going to be easy but it will definitely help prepare me and my teammates for becoming a Celebrity.”