By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Three years ago, Burlington High School teacher Ashley Easterday took over the school’s dance squad despite not having any dance experience.
She simply wanted to get involved as a coach in the community and help young girls.
From humble beginnings, Easterday helped the team make history two weeks ago.
Burlington advanced to the state competition for the first time, where they performed pom routines in La Crosse.
The experience won’t soon be forgotten for the young coach, and she hopes a state appearance can help dance gain some recognition in the community.
“Words can’t describe how excited I was for the girls and this program,” she said. “It has definitely helped us become more recognized in the dance community and hopefully as a sport in our own community.”
“This is something Burlington would be able to build with the right support. I would love to be involved in building a dance feeder program in our community.”
While she’s achieved a modicum of success in her brief tenure, Easterday admits she’s still learning and believes the dance program is just scratching the surface.
The Burlington Standard Press caught up with Easterday Tuesday to discuss the season and the growing sport of dance.
SP: First off, is it dance or poms? Where, and how many teams were at the competition? How many teams (divisions) are in the state?
AE: It is called a dance team, but our team only performs pom routines together at this time. Many of the girls on the team know technical dance, such as jazz, ballet, and lyrical. In the dance competition world there are different categories the team can compete in: Pom, Jazz, Kick, and Hip Hop.
There are five divisions for dance in Wisconsin based on school size like other sports. Some girls compete as solos and small groups also. There are competitions throughout the year, and we attended six this season.
SP: Without dance experience, why did you take over the team three years ago?
AE: Three years ago, I was a new teacher to the Burlington Area School District and the coaching position was open when I interviewed. I was happy for the opportunity to be involved and serve as a coach in the community.
During this time, I have learned so much about dance. I couldn’t imagine my first three years teaching not being involved with the dance program. The relationships and experiences are very special to me. The ladies I work with have always been dedicated and competitive.
The first year we only had about 10 girls in competition. This year we had 17 and competed with more technique than in the past. The more team members the more options you have with choreography and visuals. Some teams perform with around 30 girls. There are many aspects of dance that took me a while to understand, and I am still learning.
SP: Was it easy to make it to state? What were this year’s challenges?
AE: No, I do not think it is easy to make it to state. Since there is not a feeder program for dance, we have to teach skills needed to perform at the varsity level in a short amount of time. Making it to state was huge for us. We have made a lot of gains in the last three years.
The biggest challenge each year is teaching new team members the basics, building their skills, and getting everyone to perform in unity. We have one coach for dance, which sometimes is difficult when there are different things that need work and only so much time. I do have two volunteers that help out when they can that are amazing.
Girls interested in joining the high school dance team can join a dance studio in town to gain experience before high school.
SP: How big is it for you personally and the program to make it to state for the first time? How will this help the program in the future?
AE: Words can’t describe how excited I was for the girls and this program. It has definitely helped us become more recognized in the dance community and hopefully as a sport in our own community. At the state competition the Waterford Dance Team demonstrated amazing sportsmanship by sitting on the floor in front during our routine, cheering us on. This is something Burlington would be able to build with the right support. I would love to be evolved in building a dance feeder program in our community.
SP: What happened at state? How did the girls perform? Did you have a “go-to” routine?
AE: In all, 17 teams went to state for Division 2. There are about 175 dance teams registered with WACPC competing in poms within the five divisions. Each team can perform one routine per category, but has the option to perform in more than one category. The routine might get adjusted, but you have one routine that is polished and developed the whole season in the category you choose.
At Burlington, fall and winter are separate seasons with not all of the same students on each team. The girls like to choreograph and perform a different routine at each home football game and for pep, so these girls learn around seven routines during the fall. This is challenging to do, but as a team they have a lot of fun. The girls did amazing making it to state with the competition pom routine.
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