Dancing is not as easy as many believe. It takes years of hard work, dedication and persistence to become the best you can be. The 13 dancers of the CHS Diamond Dancers have put in the work and help represent the best of the school!
The Diamonds are a combined team of the two dance studios – Barb’s School of Dance and iDance Project. Usually, there is a friendly rivalry between the two schools as they compete against each other in competition. However, the Diamond Dancers are one cohesive unit and pay no attention to their “assigned studio” in the environment. During the year, the Diamonds do a lot of different activities like competing in competition, performing at elementary assemblies, and working during Jam the Gym.
Jam the Gym is the Diamond’s biggest event of the year. It is an event that features dance teams and studios from all around Nebraska, and everyone comes to perform their routines. This year, Jam the Gym is on January 19th and is set to start at 2pm. The crowd favorites of Jam the Gym are Little Gems and Diamonds in the Rough.
Little Gems usually consists of 90 kids between the ages 5-12 years old. The kids come in the Saturday (from 9am to 12pm) before Jam the Gym to learn their dance, eat a snack, and hang out with the Diamonds. Then, they perform their learned routine the next day to start off Jam the Gym. Diamonds in the Rough is the other crowd favorite and consists of 13 non-dancers who are partnered with a Diamond. Most of the non-dancers are male athletes who have never danced before. They dress up in silly costumes, and do a 2 minute long dance showcasing all of their “moves” to close out the incredible show. This one is a crowd favorite due to its comedic nature, and this hilarious routine would not be possible without the Diamond in the Roughs’ work ethic.
Megan Gaston, the coach of the Diamonds, is a very enthusiastic coach who is in her fifth season. She works very hard to make sure the Diamonds can perform at their very best, and pushes them to their limit. Gaston’s expressed that her favorite part of coaching “is getting to watch them grow through the year and seeing their leadership skills grow throughout the years as well. I also love going to competitions and feeling the energy backstage before a performance.” Ms. Gaston also commented, “At the Star Strutters Showcase, this will be our first time performing one of our competitive routines. I am excited to see our High Kick routine come alive when we add in the hard work my dancers have put in, their costumes, and their stage performance.” When asked about the audition process for next year, Gaston advises, “come prepared and with confidence! At our tryouts I am looking for good technique as well as good stage performance ”
This Friday, November 22, the Diamonds will be attending their first performance – Star Strutters Showcase. The Lincoln Northeast Drill Team hosts many different teams from around the state to showcase one of their routines in their gym. This year is the 50th anniversary of the LNE Showcase, so there will be more routines there than ever before! After this Showcase, the Diamonds’ next performance will be at the Variety Show on Monday, November 25.
Overall, the Diamonds are so excited to entertain you at basketball games, competitions, and other performances! The girls love what they do, and hope you do too! If you are interested in signing up your child for Little Gems – all K-4 students will receive a form from their teacher, and 5-6 students will need to retrieve one from the CMS office! If you have questions contact Megan Gaston at [email protected], or talk to a Diamond!
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