In 2019, the Georgia High School Association sanctioned dance as an official GHSA team winter sport, creating competitive opportunities for artistic athletics to have a place. If you were at the South Forsyth High School gymnasium on Saturday, December 12, or West Laurens on Saturday, January 8, you would no doubt have felt like you were at a home basketball game – with so much sweat, focus and spirit. team, except with a lot more makeup and hairspray. Similar to competitive cheerleaders, Georgia public school dance teams perform mesmerizing choreographed stunts with artistic flair, providing fans with both entertainment and adrenaline.
Multiple invites are planned throughout the season leading up to the GHSA State Invitational Finals in February at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The first of these opportunities, the War Eagle Warm-up Dance Invitational, took place on December 12 at South Forsyth High School. The second, the Westside Showdown Dance Invitational, was held at West Laurens High School on January 8.
In its fourth year of existence, the Buford High School Dance Team under Head Coach Ashley Smith and Assistant Coach Katelynn Moon prepared four entries for the season’s competitions.
The group competition program includes two group and two solo entries this season. Although solo entries were not featured at West Laurens, BHS junior Avery Hardee performed a jazz routine to the song “Beggin'” recorded by Maneskin during the Dec. 12 contest. Junior Gracey Conaway won fifth place solo 3-6A for her contemporary performance of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by artist Lorde. Both solo routines were choreographed by Smith.
Buford’s 10-member dance crew, consisting of Sela Brannan, Mariana Borja, Annika Bouton, Gracey Conaway, Lilli Engledow, Kate Harkness, Tanner Moon, Olivia Su and co-captains Avery Hardee and Sydney Holton, performed their two routines choreographed by professional dancers Lauren Piper and Maddie Govedich at both competitions. In the jazz category, the group performs a moving rendition of Kesha’s song “Prayin,” which earned the team third place in 6-7A Jazz in the Dec. 12 contest. In the pom category, the team dances to a medley of catchy 1980s pop songs and came in second overall in the pom category at the January 8 event.
The band are currently gearing up for their next competition, the 5Star Dance Invitational, which will be held on January 22 at Heritage High School in Ringgold.
Fans can follow the BHS Dance Team season on the BHS Athletics website at bufordwolves.com.
Featured photo by Ashley Smith.
