CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad High School Varsity Dance Team Lancer Dancers did it again.
They snagged a second consecutive win at the National High School Dance Championship.
The team journeyed to the Walt Disney World ESPN Center in February where they and 600 other varsity teams competed.
The Lancer Dancers, a group of 13 girls, achieved their Hip Hop Division Championship win.
Recently, the team visited the Carlsbad City Council to receive proclamations.
“It is so wonderful to be honored by the city and Carlsbad has been so supportive and wonderful to the Lancer Dancers so this was a perfect way to end the season,” said Lisa Posard, president of the Lancer Dancers Booster Club. “The championship is honestly a Carlsbad victory.”
Lisa describes the fundraising to attend these national events as a huge endeavor. The trip costs roughly $40,000.
Posard, along with the other parents, and the whole dance team conveyed a heartfelt thanks to its national sponsors, Jazzercise and Carlsbad Dance Center.
“The Carlsbad Community supports these girls,” said Posard, adding how the girls also offer numerous hours of community service. The Lancer Dancers often perform at Rotary events, elementary schools, fundraisers, Christmas Tree Lighting, and much more.
“I’m extremely proud of this team and the way the parents came together to raise this money,” she said. “People don’t realize how much work it is and how much the girls have to dedicate to dancing at a national championship level.”
Posard’s daughter Camille was this year’s captain of the Lancer Dancers. Last year, she served as co-captain.
She calls the back-to-back wins as amazing.
“As reigning National Champions, we were definitely under the spotlight and there was much more pressure than last year when we hadn’t won a previous National Championship for four years,” said Camille, 17. “So this Championship as Captain in my senior year is very special to me.”
To date, Carlsbad has won nine national titles.
Camille wants people to know because the Lancer Dancers have so much Carlsbad support they worked hard to make their community proud of them.
Gearing up for the nationals in Florida meant 30-hour practice sessions per week. In addition to the training, Camille said, they had to keep their grades up, attend studio dance classes, while many embarked on their university applications paths.
Posard said the girls on the team carry a high grade point average and must adhere by a very strict code of conduct because they do represent their city and community.
“These girls are exceptional off the dance floor,” Posard said.
For Camille, being part of the Lancer Dancers has been an incredible experience.
“I grew up in Carlsbad, and I remember watching the Lancer Dancers at the community events and thinking I want to grow up and be a Lancer Dancer,” she said.
Dance became a passion and helped her overcome shyness.
“One of the best things about being a Lancer Dancer for me is when a little girl comes up to me after a performance and says they want to ‘grow up and dance like me or be a Lancer Dancer when they grow up,’” Camille said. “I want them to know they can do it if they work hard enough; if I can end up captain of Lancer Dancers, trust me, they can do it.”
For more information on the Lancer Dancers, including their fundraisers, dance clinics, and Junior Lancer Dancer Summer Camp program visit lancerdancers.com.
4 comments
CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic job!!!!!! :)
Congratulations girls!! I know how much work and dedication it takes. Great job!
I’ve been watching most of these girls dance at CDC since they were 2 years. They are all hard working, dedicated, smart and talented girls. Courtney Smith is my granddaughter and I just want to say how very proud I am of her and her teamates. Grandma loves ya girls! xo
*teammate
Comments are closed.