Montezuma Hip Hop Dance Team earns fifth place honors at ISDTA State Championships

​       Montezuma dancers competed in Class 1 Jazz, Pom and Hip Hop at the 46th Annual Iowa State Dance Team (ISDTA) State Championships. All the dancers are pictured, from left, front row: Emily James, Elizabeth DeJong, Addyson Probasco, Abby Cheney, Kaleah Shoemaker, Lily Shoemaker, Ellen Cook and Tayler Wickham. Back Row: Izzy Roorda, Camryn Brennan, Haley VanDerHart, Laila Kercheval, Kylee Larmore, Taya Sincox, Allyson Larmore, Katie Reynolds, Hayley Burnett. Not Pictured: Mia Boulton and Coral Lowry. Montezuma also had two soloists, Kaleah Shoemaker and Lily Shoemaker, who both performed with Lily bringing home a 3rd place finish.

By J.O. Parker
 
       The Montezuma Dance program knocked it out of the park, earning five Division 1 ratings, a 5th place in Hip Hop and a 3rd place in the solo division with a performance by Lily Shoemaker at the 46th Annual Iowa State Dance Team (ISDTA) State Championships.
      The Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association’s Iowa High School and College State Dance Team Championship was held Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at the Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. Montezuma performed all routines on the first day of the competition.
    Montezuma had team performances in Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop and two soloists performance by sisters Lily Shoemaker and Kaleah Shoemaker.
     “We were fortunate to bring home a Division 1 Rating in all five of our performances we took to Wells Fargo on Dec. 1, said dance instructor Macy Taylor. “Our Hip Hop team brought home a 5th place this year. We went against some tough competition, but as always we will be refocused and ready to go for next year.”
    Teams are divided into classes based on school enrollment. They are evaluated and judged by industry professionals from all corners of the United States.