The Sentinel: Competitive Dance

SJO Dance Team finishes the season 16th in the state

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The SJO Dance Team pose for a photo while waiting for Friday's performance results at Grossinger Motors Arena during the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals.

BLOOMINGTON - Going to state is a big deal. Competing against the top 30 teams in the state, the St. Joseph-Ogden dance team finished 16th out of 81 high school dance programs at this year's IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals.

"It was just like the best experience in the world," said senior Olivia Getty before the 12 finalists were announced at Friday's preliminary round at Grossinger Motors Arena. "Regardless of how we finish, I feel really proud of how we danced today. I feel like we did well."

The best part about competing at state for Reese Wheatley, one of two seniors on the squad, was spending the day with her team, giving advice throughout the day, and being there for them.

"It just means so much to be here," she said. "It just shows how hard our whole team worked throughout the entire season."

Getty, the other senior, said making it to state was the result of the Spartans' dedication and work ethic during the season. "It shows all of the hard work it took to get here."

Wheatley said Alyssa Hudson, the team's new head coach, is one of the best coaches she has worked with.

"She loves us so much and has spent so much time with us. She shows that at every single practice."

Getty added, "She pushed us so hard. She saw our potential from day one and did not let us give up on ourselves. She pushed us the whole season."

SJO missed the cut for the finals by four places. Finishing ahead of the SJO Dance Team with a score of 80.88 were Glenbard South (13th, 82.90), Civic Memorial (14th, 82.64), and Elmwood (15th, 81.24).

The 2025 State Championship went to Providence Catholic, who bested the competition with a score of 93.56. Earning a score of 92.34 and finishing in the top three for the third consecutive year since the pandemic, Morris took home another second-place trophy. The reigning J'ettes from Jacksonville, who had hoped to achieve a three-peat, finished third with a score of 91.12 in this season's title run.

Getty's advice to next year's dance team is to work hard.

"Work so hard," she advised. "Every moment pays off. Just put in the time and the effort. It will pay off."

St. Joseph-Ogden Dance Team at IHSA State

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The SJO Dance Team performs their modern dance routine in the preliminary round at Grossinger Motors Arena during the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals.

Wheatley's message to her fellow teammates was, "Remember that you are not alone. Everyone is going through something, so show up every day and do your very best. Keep yourselves and each other proud."

The Spartan Dance Team roster also included Adelyn Childers, Abigail Getty, Gracyn Sjoken, Abigail Bello, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Lilly Sollars, Ava Gallo, and Lilyah Jones. Hudson was assisted by former dance team member Kaitlyn Hess.

Going to state! SJO Dance Team advances to Competitive Dance State Finals

A member of the Spartan Dance Team performs at halftime during St. Joseph-Ogden's home basketball game against Warrensburg-Latham at the Christie Clinic Shootout. The Spartan finished fourth at the St. Anthony Competitive Dance sectional on Saturday. Advancing to the state final prelims on Friday, SJO will perform at 10:39 AM for a spot in Saturday's championship round.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

EFFINGHAM — The Spartan Dance Team secured their third consecutive trip to the Illinois High School Association Competitive State Dance Finals after finishing fourth at the St. Anthony sectional on Saturday.

The eleven-member troupe earned a score of 80.17, placing behind Jacksonville (90.27), the defending Class 1A state champions. Clinton took second place, with St. Anthony finishing third, joining nine other small school programs at Bloomington's Grossinger Motors Arena for the state finals.

Four additional local teams competed at sectionals but did not advance. Villa Grove placed 7th, Unity 9th, and Rantoul 16th at Effingham. Mahomet-Seymour finished 11th in their sectionals, completing the area teams that did not advance.

In Class 2A at Mahomet, Champaign Central finished third behind Bradley-Bourbonnais and Washington. The Maroons are scheduled to perform at 1:49 PM on Friday.

The Spartan Dance Team roster includes Olivia Getty, Reese Wheatley, Adelyn Childers, Abigail Getty, Gracyn Sjoken, Abigail Bello, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Lilly Sollars, Ava Gallo, and Lilyah Jones. Alyssa Hudson coaches the Spartans, assisted by Kaitlyn Hess.

Tickets for Friday's preliminary competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.

Schedule for Friday

SESSION 1 - 1A & 2A Preliminaries

9:15 a.m. Doors open to the State Final venue site
10:00 a.m. Welcome
10:10 a.m. Announcements & National Anthem
10:15 a.m. First Performance (1A & 2A Alternate Performances)
12:15 p.m. Officials Break
2:21 p.m. Last Performance
2:40 p.m. Announcement of 1A Finalists
2:50 p.m. Announcement of 2A Finalists

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Illinois Theatre Association to honor 2024 Award of Excellence recipients

CHICAGO - The Illinois Theatre Association will recognize eight theatre professionals and educators as the recipients of the 2024 Award of Excellence. The awards will be presented at a brunch during the association's annual meeting on August 3, 2024, at the Copley Theatre in Aurora.

The keynote speaker is actor Gene Weygandt. He has appeared in a host of films, television shows, and on Broadway. His acting credits on screen include The Birdcage, Babe, and Mea Culpa. He has appeared in televised episodes of Home Improvement, Cybil, Murphy Brown, Chicago Fire, Empire, and Chicago Med.

The Chicago-based actor also had roles in Broadway productions, including BIG: The Musical, Wicked, and Come From Away.

This year's 2024 Awards of Excellence include:

Creative Drama/Theatre for Young Audiences:
The Children's Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company Accepting the Award is Veronica Comings, President

Secondary School Theatre:
J.R. Willard-Rose (Homewood- Flossmoor HS)

College/University Theatre:
Kevin Long (Harper College, Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

Community Theatre:
Joseph Ennenbach (Stage 212, Morris Theater Guild, Streator Engle Lane, and Princeton's Festival 56)

Professional Theatre:
James Calitri (Artistic Director, Festival 56)

2024 Awards of Honor, ITA Non-Member:
John Collins (Executive Director, Goodman Theatre)

2024 Awards of Honor, ITA Member:
Richard Arnold, Jr. (Production Coordinator, College of DuPage)

Anne Thurman Mentorship Award:
Patricia Haynes, 1950-2024
Mother McAuley HS, founder of 99th Street Summer Theatre
Accepting the Award is Erin Fitzpatrick

For more information and registration to this year's event go to https://illinoistheatre.org/event-4897079.

Warrior dance team places 2nd at state

Mya Bills and the Lincoln-Way West dance team perform their competitive dance routine on Friday at the IHSA state finals on Friday. The Warriors advanced to Day 2 competition in fourth place on their way to the 2024 runner-up title. See more photos below.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - After finishing the first day of competition in fourth place, Lincoln-Way West's 24-member strong dance turned up the heat on Day 2 at Grossinger Motors Arena to finish second in the Class 2A division at the Illinois High School Association's Competitive State Dance Finals on Saturday. Receiving a 93.26 and qualifying for the championship round on Friday, the orange and black-cladded Warriors improved their score by nearly one point to 94.12.

The runner-up Warrior team includes Kaylee Towson Aldridge, Amber Graves, Ava Swidergal, Candise Battin, Ella Stahulak, McKenna Redican, Elena Ciabattari, Elora Maletich, Keira Loranger, Sadie Smith, Mackenna Woltman, Liky Grude, Lindsey Dust, Kylie Smith, Chloe Sall, Isabel Kostecki, Jenna Cronk, Mya Bills, Leah Young, Aubree McElree, Kiera Grimmett, Sadie Lazzari, Ryan Borrelli, and Amanda Garbaciak. Lincoln-Way West is coached by Melissa Sweeney with assistants Ashely Hon and Kelly Sabo at her side.

The Warriors' routine finished behind the lyrical performance by this year's championship team from Lake Forest. The Scouts tallied the best score across all three classes finishing with an impressive 98.02 from judges.

Rounding out the top three places, Geneva captured their 11th consecutive state trophy with a third-place finish. The Vikings, who earned a 92.72 score on Saturday, have consistently finished in the 2A top three since 2014.

Advancing to the finals third after the first round of performances, Lake Zurich (91.88) closed out the IHSA season in fourth place. The Bears dance squad was less than a point from capturing the program's seventh state dance trophy.

Vernon Hills (90.77) was fifth in the final standings, followed by Burlington Central (90.32), St. Charles North (90.12) in sixth place, and Deerfield (88.18), who finished as the 8th-best team in the state after both days of competition.

Meanwhile, Chicago Jones finished in ninth place with an 87.12. Grant High School (86.06) was tenth, Lincoln-Way Central earned an 84.68, good for 11th place, and Crystal Lake Central was awarded an 84.34 by judges in the season finale.

Photo Gallery

Lake Forest delivers impressive performance for Class 2A dance title

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Lake Forest's moving interpretive presentation was the 18th of 24 performances on Saturday. Like every year, the field of competition was tremendous, and the Scouts Dance Team overwhelmingly impressed the judging crew, earning the Class 2A division's top score of 98.02.

This year's Scouts include Bianca Storino, Rachel Silvers, Alana Tennett, Ellery Newman, Maddie Van Nuys, Hadleigh Deegan, Lyla Carney, Kate Westerman, Blakely Rice, Reese Harper, Amelia Hansen, Finley Karr, Grace Clark, Josie Irvin, Sophia Brincat, Mia Konkel, Camille Brincat, and Madeleine Axus. Lake Forest was led to the finals by head coach Angela McNicholas with the help of assistant Ashley Nash.

Nearly four points behind this year's state champions, Lincoln-Way West (94.12), who finished fourth with their hip-hop routine after Friday's preliminary round, was crowned this year's runner-up squad. Making their fifth consecutive state appearance, the Warrior's dynamic performance and precise execution yielded a second-place finish.

Geneva took home their 11th consecutive state trophy after finishing third with a score of 92.72. The Vikings program has consistently finished in the top three since 2014.

Placing third after the first round of performances, Lake Zurich (91.88) closed out the IHSA season in fourth place. The Bears dance squad was less than a point from capturing the program's seventh state dance trophy.

Vernon Hills (90.77) was fifth in the final standings, followed by Burlington Central (90.32), St. Charles North (90.12) in sixth place, and Deerfield (88.18), who finished as the 8th best team in the state after both days of competition.

Photo Gallery

Editor's Note: Our original story stated, "The Warriors, making their fifth consecutive state appearance, were last year's class 2A champions." This was incorrect. LWW qualified for state last year but missed the cut for the second day of competition as the story now states. We apologize for the error.