The Dixie Belles are a drill/dance team, consisting of 50 talented young dancers from Richland High School, who live for dance. Being a Dixie Belle requires athletic ability, proper dance technique, teamwork, and a commitment to community service. In fact, the dancers are expected to participate in various fund raisers, charity events, and other events within the community. For many new members to the Dixie Belle squad, the required time commitment can be overwhelming, so it is important to make time for fun and remind the dancers why they tried out for the team.
As Assistant Director, I am constantly working with the Head Director to keep the girls motivated and excited about being a member of the Dixie Belles. Dancers typically get burnt out between the months of November through January because the squad is transitioning from what is a typically more laid back football season to a faster paced basketball and dance competition season. The practices throughout the spring are longer and can be very stressful due to the amount of work that needs to be completed.
Recently, I have started integrating team building activities into the weekly practices. This has made a huge impact on the morale of the team, as girls are able to take a few minutes to laugh and bond with their teammates. The transition from the team building activities provides a positive transition into the practice session as we focus on the competition routines.
The long practices may be a grind, but the reward is sweet! Stay strong, Dixie Belles!
ReplyDelete