Kennedy’s dance team qualified two soloists for the first time in the history of the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association (ISDTA) State Solo Qualifiers Competition. Junior Elle Rammelsberg and sophomore Megan Trudo qualified to compete at the ISDTA State Championship on December 4-5 in Des Moines.
ISDTA’s State Solo Qualifiers is a competitive competition between dance and drill teams all around Iowa. Performers compete individually in their respective category, either dance or color guard. The competition is divided into 12 classes for dancers and two for color guard, based on school enrollment or school’s size.
“Qualifying for State is a huge achievement,” Head Dance Coach Courtney Kalb said. “They compete against 72 other dancers in one of the largest school divisions. It’s extremely competitive and very difficult to make it into the top ten!”
Out of nearly 1,000 soloists that competed at this year’s qualifier competition, only ten dancers from each of the 12 classes qualified for the State Championship. Kennedy’s soloists Rammelsberg and Trudo qualified in the Class Xl (11) division. This is Trudo’s first year competing at the competition, and also her first year qualifying.
“I am so excited to represent the Kennedy Dance Team along with Elle at State this year,” Trudo said. “I went into qualifiers with an open mindset especially since it was my first time, and I ended up bringing home a top ten placement which I am still so grateful for.”
For Rammelsberg, this is her third year competing and third year in a row qualifying to compete for the State Title. Her freshman year, Rammelsberg placed sixth at finals and her sophomore year, she placed seventh.
“Qualifying for State the past three years has been such an honor,” Rammelsberg said. “My goal this year is to just try my best and hopefully do better than I’ve done the past two years.”
As they prepare for the State competition, both Trudo and Rammelsberg will compete at three other competitions. On Nov. 1, both dancers along with two other Kennedy dancers competed at the Lion Lineage Competition hosted by Linn Mar High School. Rammelsberg and Trudo placed 10th and 13th respectively.
“The thing that stands out about both of them is the emotion they bring to their performance,” Kalb said. “When you watch them dance, it makes you feel something. They are so good at really connecting with the judges and that’s exactly what they’re looking for.”
Kennedy dancers also competed in the large group categories. Kennedy came home with third place for their jazz dance to the song Green Light by Lorde. They also took fifth place for their pom routine which includes a mix of songs such as DNA by Kendrick Lamar, Coming In Hot by Andy Mineo and Lecrae, Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, #thatPOWER by Will.i.am and Justin Bieber and Run This Town by Rihanna and Kanye West.
“I love our routines this year. We have really strong choreography and songs, and I feel like the judges agree because it’s reflected very positively on our scores,” said senior Dylan Gardner.
This past Saturday on Nov. 8, Kennedy competed their routines again at the Stack the Stands competition hosted by Prairie High School. Soloists Rammelsberg and Trudo placed second and fifth in their solos respectively. Kennedy’s large groups took home first place for their jazz dance and second place for their pom routine.
“We’ve started this season with a stronger team than I’ve seen in a long time,” Kalb said. “I definitely think we have the potential to go far at State this year.”
At the State competition, Kennedy will compete in Division Vll (seven) for jazz and Division Xlll (13) for pom. Kennedy has an opportunity to bring home a State title for the first time since 2002.
“I just want the dancers to take in every second of this experience and be proud of themselves for what they put out on the floor,” Kalb said. “We have the chance to place very well and I can’t wait to watch the soloists and the team at State.”
