Rossville Rockettes Dance Team place second at state competition

Rossville Rockettes Members of the Rossville Rockettes Dance Team are, left to right: Kneeling - Kayla Rhoades (captain), Robyn Smith (cocaptain). Middle: -Kendra Boller, Miranda Hack, Krista Brown (co-captain), Shelby Moss, Shauna Green, Kinsie Layton, Liza Murphy, Tasha Long. Behind: Alexa Weaver, Desiaraye Clem. Photo provided

The Rossville Rockettes Dance Team recently competed in the Indiana High School Dance Team Association (IHSDTA) competition held at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. The team earned a second place in the novice pom division.

A member of the IHSDTA for ten years, this was the team's first year to perform in the competition. The team earned 80.20 points, behind the first place team from Frontier High School with 82 points. Eight teams competed in the division.

According to their coach, Janilyn Layton, the girls practiced five days a week for two hours each and sometimes at 6 a.m. before school, preparing for the competition.

Layton is pleased with her team's success. "They have come a long way and have had a very difficult year," she said.

In December, second year dance team member, Taylor, Rader, died due to a car accident.

"She was very close to all 12 members," said Layton. "The team had already started working on their competition pom routine before this accident. It was very difficult to come back to practice and change the formations due to the empty space. There were a lot of practices where I really had to give the girls time."

The team wore a pink and purple ribbon on their uniforms the day of competition in memory of Taylor. They felt as if she was out there dancing with them, said Layton.

"They look forward to competing next year at the IHSDTA and hope to take home first," Layton added.