The 2019-2020 SC4 dance season was already a short one due to its late start in December, and it was cut even shorter after Covid-19 swept the country and shut down the season for good. But that didn't stop the Skippers from coming together and mastering a routine that led them to a sixth-place finish in the Elite Open Hip Hop division at the United States AllStar Federation Dance Worlds competition.
"I was so excited and proud when I was notified of the team's placement," head coach Laurie Charron said.
She just found out about the award last week as the USASF recently announced the results. The organization decided to rank teams based on a point system since the annual Dance Worlds event, which was to be held in April at Walt Disneyworld, was cancelled.
According to Ali Stangle with the USASF, the organization gathered results from the various Worlds Bid Qualifier dance competitions. Each team earned points based on its ranking and number of teams in its division. Additional points were given if the team earned a full, partial, or at-large bid to what would've been the Worlds competition.
After calculating the results, the Skippers placed in the top 10 of the Open Elite Hip Hop division, finishing sixth in a five-way tie, as ties were not broken.
This year was the inaugural season for the SC4 dance team. After conducting tryouts in December, the team of eight dancers learned two hip hop routines which they performed at the half-time of both SC4 Women's and Men's basketball games.
"The girls were so excited to attend at least one competition before the season's end, so we entered them in the GLCC National Dance Competition at the Schaumburg Convention Center outside Chicago in March," Charron said.
The Skippers placed second in the Open Elite Hip Hop Division, qualifying them for Dance Worlds.
"We were so excited based on the fact we had such a short period of time to organize and prepare the team," Charron said.
Team members include: Sheridan Chappel, Marisa Conley, Hanna Harlow, Emma Huston, Brynn McGregor, Abby Morden, Jamie Rich, and Younique Williams. The team is coached by HPAC Starlites head coach and director Laurie Charron and assisted by Lynne Hearn.