The Pack Dance Team seniors Kat Davis, Macie Gorman, Bella Hopkins and Addie Wight were recognized during their senior night, Jan. 14. Head coach Hannah Haworth said it’s cool to see how much these seniors have grown as dancers and people since she started coaching at Northwest their sophomore year.

“The legacy they’re going to leave with the team is going to be important,” Haworth said. “I’m just really proud of what they’ve done and excited where this program is going.”

Senior captain Addie Wight has been on the team since her freshman year. Wight said this team has one of the strongest bonds she has experienced, with team bonding at least once a month and a positive culture at practices. 

“I think we all value each other,” Wight said. “I’m proud of how we interact and treat each other. I think that’s one of the most important things.” 

Wight said the seniors play a crucial role in setting the tone and intention for the team. She also said her fellow senior teammates are good role models who unite the team with positive attitudes. 

“This year’s team is really unified and everyone is a hard worker,” Wight said. “We’re really focused, but at the same time, have really positive energy.”

Sophomore Annie Cole has been on the team for two years. She said this year’s team is very close due to a strong foundation of bonds from last year and a quick transition for the freshman class. 

“The new freshmen came in, everyone welcomed them, and we all just fit together,” Cole said.

Cole said her favorite memory with the team is camp at the University of Oklahoma over the summer because it was the first time the team truly bonded.

“You start to see everyone’s personalities because you spend so much time together,” Cole said.

Wight shared the same favorite memory, explaining how fun it was to spend so much time with her teammates. 

“It was really long and hard, but at the end of each long day, we would all hang out in one dorm room and just laugh,” Wight said. 

Haworth said this year’s team dynamic is special because of how the dancers interact. She said they’re all different humans who relate to each other through dance but are silly and entertaining.

“Sometimes I catch myself pausing practice just to talk to them because they’re good humans and funny people,” Haworth said.

Haworth said the seniors are good role models for the rest of the team and lead with confidence and respect.

“All four of them just hold themselves really well,” Haworth said. “They’re nice, kind and caring, and I think that helps the younger dancers look up to them.”

Similarly, Cole said the seniors are very welcoming and have leadership roles that complement each other.

“The seniors this year are a nice group of people,” Cole said. “They’re all different in their own way.”

Haworth said Wight’s biggest strength is her ability to care for everyone, which is shown in everything she does.

“She cares about people immensely, and as the captain, I think that’s really important,” Haworth said. “Everyone on the team feels seen by her, which is a really hard thing to do, but Addie does it well and carries herself with grace.” 

Haworth said Gorman is reliable and responsible. She said she goes to Gorman with any questions she has.

“I know I can trust her. I always get to rely on her and I don’t have to worry about her,” Haworth said. “That’s a really important skill to have.”

Haworth said Hopkins is a powerful dancer to watch. She said it’s fun to see her embrace the music and engage her muscles in dance.

“She has so much power and strength when she dances that it’s hard to not watch her,” Haworth said.

Haworth said Davis has a quiet confidence that is special, especially given this is only her second year on the team. She said Davis has a calming presence and holds herself with grace.

“To be confident in who she is and what she brings to the table is special, and I think everyone is magnetized by that,” Haworth said. 

The Pack Dance Team will compete in the National Dance Alliance (NDA) High School Nationals from Feb. 14-16 in Orlando, Florida. Haworth said the team placed third at nationals last year and is determined to do even better this year.

“You can see that reflected in their practices, the comments they make and how they treat each other and talk to each other,” Haworth said. “They’re all so motivated to do well.”

To prepare for nationals, Wight said the team started having longer practices on Fridays and occasionally going to a studio for more motivation. She said they also send critiques and videos to each other, watch college dance team film and work on their stamina by running routines full out. Wight said the seniors are proud of the underclassmen for their commitment to the team.

“Honestly, how they did at games, how focused they are at practice [and] how they did at state was all impressive,” Wight said. “Freshman year, doing state for the first time, it’s so intimidating. They did such a good job performing, we’re really proud of them.”

Cole said the seniors use the team motto “raise the bar” to motivate everyone for nationals. She said if they want to go further than they did last year, they have to work harder. 

However, Haworth said the competition is more difficult this year, so her ultimate goal is for the dancers to have a good time and push themselves to what they know they’re capable of. 

“No matter what, I’m proud of them, and we’ve come a long way,” Haworth said. “I just want to make sure that I’m creating good humans and people who can work through adversity and come out the other side still loving each other.”

Wight said she is thankful for everyone she has met through the dance team, especially Coach Haworth.

“She wasn’t there my freshman year, but she’s made a really big impact in my life and how I view myself as a dancer,” Wight said.

Wight said it’s important to remember there is more to dancing than winning and achievements. She advised her younger teammates to cherish the time they have left and remember their why.  

“I’m glad I got to have my senior year with this team. It’s been a special one,” Wight said. “I’m really excited to see what they do with the team next year and come back and see how the underclassmen have grown. I know that they’re gonna be really successful.”