Up until this year, the Dance Team  never partook in Naugatuck Valley League competition. But on Wednesday, February 11, the girls participated in their first ever NVLs, and even better, brought home second place out of nine teams.

“The team has worked unbelievably hard to improve and get where we needed to be,” shares Casey Rioux, a junior on the team. “It was so exciting to be a part of the first dance NVLs ever, and it felt even better to get second place.”

The scoring for this competition, unlike most others, consisted of each team performing two dances of their choice. Rather than winning an award for each style of dance, the two scores were combined and only a Grand Champ and Runner Up were awarded.

Wolcott took home the championship award, and our own Hawks brought home the silver. Woodland performed their jazz and kick dances, both high scoring performances.

“Wolcott won first, and it was well deserved. Our team works extremely hard, and I can’t wait to hear about all the wonderful things they do in the following years, ” shares Kristen Cullen, a senior on the team.

Watertown, who hosted the NVL, also awarded a small number of dancers and honored them with medals. From Woodland, Alyssa Parella, Kristen Cullen, and Casey Rioux were awarded as all NVL dancers.

“It was an honor to be apart of the first NVLs. I am looking forward to the following years and competing as an official varsity sport,” explains Vanessa Adams, a sophomore on the team.

Since the team’s great win at the NVLs, the girls has made more history. For the first ever, the Woodland Regional dance team was invited to New England States competition in Massachusetts. The girls won sixth out of twelve of the best teams in the test. The amazing history made and competitions won have proven the girls’ improvement throughout the years and leaves excitement for what else is to come.