Highland Park Dance Company Teams Excel
Highland Park Dance Company, a studio owned by former Highland Belle Casey Castellaw, had quite a season competing in contests organized by American Dance/Drill Team. The dancers have a ton of awards to be proud of.
“The exciting part of the wins is that we do not only compete against private, middle-school aged girls,” Castellaw said. “HP Dance teams were able to compete and win against 80-plus-member large public high school teams.”
We’ve listed several of their wins after the jump.
North Texas Regional
Feb. 1 at Rockwall Heath High School
The blue, white, and sapphire teams were the winner, first runner-up, and second runner-up — respectively — for the best-in-class awards in the junior-private classification.
The blue, sapphire, silver, and white teams each received the Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence. The blue, silver, and white teams all received judges’ awards in jazz. The white team also received a judges’ award in kick. The sapphire and silver teams received judges’ awards in prop. And the blue, sapphire, and silver teams all received judges’ awards in pom.
The blue, sapphire, silver, and white teams received special awards for best overall choreography, best overall precision, best overall technique. The blue and white teams also received special awards for best overall presentation.
In solo awards, Devoney Duclow was the first runner-up in the intermediate classification, and Catherine McGee was the first runner-up in the junior-private classification.
The best-in-class duet for the intermediate classification was performed by Elle Compton and Nina Kazi. The best-in-class duet for the junior-private classification was performed by Emma Meneghetti and Maggie Thompson.
Lone Star State Dance Championship
Feb. 15 at McNeil High School in Round Rock
The senior team and the white team won state championships in jazz, kick, military, and pom in the senior-private and junior-private classifications, respectively.
The senior team and white team each received the Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence, plus special awards for best overall choreography, best overall precision, best overall presentation, and best overall technique.
Highland Park Dance Co.’s elite No. 2 team won the senior-private classification of medium ensemble.
In solo awards, Devoney Duclow won the intermediate classification, and Catherine McGee was the first runner-up in the junior-private classification.
Additionally, Highland Park Dance Company received the Biogime Sportsmanship Award.
Texas Dance Classic
Feb. 22 at Rowlett High School
The senior team, blue team, sapphire team, and silver team each received the Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence, as well as special awards for best overall precision and best overall technique. The silver team also received special awards for best overall choreography and best overall presentation. The senior team received an additional special award for best overall choreography.
Each team also received judges’ awards in jazz and pom. Additionally, the senior team received judges’ awards in kick and military, the sapphire and silver teams received judges’ awards in prop, and the blue team received a judges’ award in military.
Highland Park Dance Company swept the best-in-class awards for medium ensemble for the senior-private classification. The elite team was the winner, platinum No. 2 was the first runner-up, and platinum No. 1 was the second runner-up.
In solo awards, Hayden Harvey was the first runner-up in the intermediate classification. The best-in-class duet for the intermediate division was performed by Elle Compton and Nina Kazi.
Alamo Senior Dance Classic
March 1 at Karen Wagner High School outside San Antonio
Highland Park Dance Company’s senior team was named best in class in the senior-private classification. The white team was named best in class in the junior-private classification, and the blue team was the runner-up.
The senior team, blue team, and white team each received the Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence. Each team also received judges’ awards in the jazz, military, and pom categories. Additionally, the senior and white teams received judges’ awards in the kick category. All three teams received special awards for best overall choreography, best overall technique, best overall precision, and best overall presentation.
In solo awards, Devoney Duclow won the intermediate classification, and Hayden Harvey was the runner-up. Catherine Magee won the junior-private classification, and the first runner-up and second runner-up awards were both ties between Highland Park dancers: Maddie Basso and Miriam Kazi tied for the former, and Eleanor Gambrell and Reagan Mays tied for the latter. Highland Park Dance Company also swept the senior-private classification. Maddie Fehlman was the winner, Gabby Orr was the first runner-up, and Jackie Joyner was the second runner-up.
The best-in-class duet for the junior-private classification was performed by Emma Meneghetti and Maggie Thompson. The best-in-class medium ensemble for the senior-private classification was Highland Park Dance Company’s jazz-applause performance. The school’s lyrical performance earned the runner-up award.
