Texan Stars to dance at championships

Wimberley High School’s Texan Stars dance team is set to compete at the Showmakers of America Texas State Dance/Drill Team Championships on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5 at Texas State University. Saturday’s events are for solos, ensembles and officer competitions while Sunday is set aside for team performances.

The Stars can boast of a wonderful year of growth for the program. Participants took part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York last year just a few weeks prior to performing on the floor of AT&T Stadium at halftime of the 4A Division 2 state championship football game. They served as soloists and ensemble during the Wimberley Texan Marching Band’s Edgar Allan Poe inspired marching show “Nevermore” and danced hiphop choreography at a few home basketball games for both the Texans and Lady Texans. To say they were busy would be an understatement.

The championships at Texas State provide an opportunity for the team to put their foot forward toward sustaining the program for years to come. Seniors Saraya Manning and Lynzee Walker move on after graduation in May, yet they have been staples of the team, providing leadership and passing those skills on to underclassmen. Manning has been accepted to Texas A&M University next fall while Walker will try out for one of the world’s best-known collegiate drill teams — the Kilgore Rangerettes — in June to further pursue her goal of professional dance.

Texan Stars begin duets at Jowers on Saturday at 10:16 and 10:20 a.m. followed by a third performance at 11:04. Solos for officers start at 1:12 p.m. with others at 1:16 and 2:04.

Team competition for the Texan Stars will kick off Sunday at Strahan at 12:52 p.m. in a lyrical routine combining jazz, modern and ballet techniques in fluid, controlled movements focusing on emotion and interpretation of the accompanying music. At 2:16 p.m., the ladies perform in hip-hop, incorporating creative street style movement with clean execution, uniformity and synchronization. Hip-hop choreography may include a variety of styles to include pop and lock, jump combinations with stylized technique and clean floor work. Their final piece presented at 4:36 p.m. is the Team Pom routine.

The judges score performances based on choreography, technique, precision, showmanship and creativity. Ensembles receiving superior ratings (85 average) receive award medals for each participant Depending upon the number of entries per classification, trophies will be awarded to first through sixth place winners in all divisions.